Sean Reyes: “I rise in support of H.R. 2799, the bill providing appropriations for the Department of Commerce, Justice, State and the…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 2799, the bill providing appropriations for the Department of Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary. As you know, Mr. Chairman, I represent a district that lies along the U.S.-Mexico border. For many years, the region along the 2,000 mile stretch of our southern border was ignored. The bill before us today, will make tremendous strides to recognize the need for increased resources along the southwest border. This bill includes 168 additional positions for the United States Marshals Service for areas of high priority need and specifically recognizes that the southwest border is such an area. My district of El Paso lies within the Western District of Texas. This judicial district has been one of the greatest increases of criminal caseloads over the last decade. The majority of these cases are being heard in the El Paso Division of the Western District. The number of federal criminal cases filed in El Paso County has increased from 443 to 2,192 cases since 1994. Last year, the El Paso Division received its second federal judge. Pending Senate confirmation this year, the El Paso Division will have a total of four federal judges. Mr. Chairman, needless to say, our case backlog is being addressed and more of our cases will be heard. This increase of work for our judges, in turn, means more work for our Marshals Service. Currently, our Marshals are reporting inoperable work load levels in the southwest border districts.”