the truth is in the 40 percentile of all of the illegals that are in the country currently came literally through the front door, through visa overstays.

When it comes to securing our border, the old military adage that no plan survives contact with the enemy is, or should be, at the forefront of our minds.

I don't think that is advantageous for the Nation.

I think with this particular piece, we may have some success there as well.

I had a bill that actually passed the subcommittee, the full committee, and I am very, very optimistic it is going to have floor action in front of the full House very shortly.

On behalf of this committee, I certainly want to commend all of the men and women of the Border Patrol for the work that they have done over the last decade, as well, the last 88 years, but certainly since 9/11.

Among the enumerated powers of the Congress, providing for the common defense gives this committee the authority and responsibility to ensure that we secure the Nation's borders.

I am encouraged that the Border Patrol decided to update this strategy to reflect the reality we face on the border today, but I am concerned that the 2012-2016 Strategy lacks a tangible way to measure our efforts on the border.

border security is something that the American people have made very clear they have the political will to do so

Letting the inland waterways system decline further would be an economic disaster to add to the Nation's already significant fiscal problems.

I think it makes sense to explore financing options.

Addressing the infrastructure needs of the inland waterways system is not about economic benefits to a few barge companies, it is about keeping American farms, manufacturers and businesses competitive and growing American jobs.

It is not just the equipment. It is the men and women that are trained so magnificently to utilize that.

Ad hoc, short-term operational planning and thinking must be replaced by a comprehensive strategy to secure the border--the American people will not accept anything less.

The goal of the Border Patrol is, and should always be, to use our limited resources to gain and maintain operational control of the border using personnel, air assets, and intelligence to ensure the security of the Nation's borders.

I have said on many occasions that the Department of Homeland Security needs to be honest and forthright with this Congress and tell us what your needs are--Congress' job is to prioritize to those needs.

I applaud the use of the National Guard to support existing CBP Air and Marine capabilities which I believe is a great example of DOD and DHS working together to achieve a National goal--a more secure border.

We all want to work together. Certainly, on behalf of myself and the Ranking Member and everybody in our subcommittee, we look forward to working with all of you for our mutual goal--securing our border.

It is absurd that for the sake of the environment, the economy and our national energy needs, we are calling on this Agency to simply adhere to the law.

For every $1 billion we invest in wastewater infrastructure, for example, we can create as many as 33,000 jobs in communities across America while improving public health and the environment.

I am particularly interested in learning how the Office of Water can implement its responsibilities that will ensure that the most talented individuals can lend their expertise to the process of developing and approving NPDES permits and…

This is a Government agency that believes there is no limit to its power.

I and more than 30 of my colleagues are sponsoring H.R. 3145, bipartisan legislation to not only authorize the Clean Water SRFs, but that also authorizes several new forms of financing for these projects.

That is why I introduced the Sunshine on Conflicts Act.

That is why I am an original co-sponsor of H.R. 1596 that would reinstate the Superfund tax and use the monies for their intended purposes, to pay for the clean up of Superfund sites.