Ted Poe: “First, I would like to thank Chairman McKeon for supporting my amendment and allowing it to come to the floor. The…”

“First, I would like to thank Chairman McKeon for supporting my amendment and allowing it to come to the floor. The amendment is simple, it urges the Secretary of Defense to make a reasonable effort to make excess intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance equipment, night vision goggles, and tactical wheeled vehicles returning from abroad available to State, Federal, and local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of strengthening border security along the international border between the United States and Mexico. This amendment is common sense--why not allow excess military equipment to be used by state, local, and federal law enforcement for border security? Our border sheriffs say they are outmanned, outgunned and out- financed by the drug cartels. This is not a new idea. DOD already has a program for distribution of surplus DOD equipment. This program has transferred 6 used Humvees to Texas Border Sheriffs in 2010. The purpose of this amendment is to urge DOD to make more equipment available through this existing program. So let's put that veteran equipment to work on the border to help fight the drug cartels. America has done our part over the past 10 years to bring safety and security to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan, and now it is time to bring that same safety and security to Americans living along our southern border. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon).…”