Homeland Security

Securing the homeland, and keeping America and our interests safe is the most important duty of the Congress. As a member of the Budget Committee, Congressman McHenry voted to increase funding for homeland security and national defense by 8%. The Congressman supports active, effective oversight for Department of Homeland Security, and he believes Congress should establish ways to measure the Department’s effectiveness, so that progress can be measured against spending.

Congressman McHenry supports reauthorizing provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act that are scheduled to sunset, which will ensure that law enforcement and intelligence agents have the necessary tools to combat terrorism. The Patriot Act updates statutes to account for new technologies such as cell phones, and extends the powers that law enforcement already uses to fight organized crime and allows them to be used to fight Osama bin Laden and other terrorists. Most important, the legislation allows for intelligence and law enforcement officials to share information in pursuit of counterterrorism investigations.

Congressman McHenry also believes that we must get tough on illegal immigration. There are currently an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in America, including over 300,000 in North Carolina. The congressman believes we must improve our border security and provide better surveillance equipment.

Congressman McHenry opposes offering amnesty to illegal immigrants, and supports increased border security to keep would-be terrorists from crossing into America to do harm.

The Congressman is also a cosponsor of the REAL ID Act, which requires states to adhere to federal guidelines when issuing official identification cards – but does not create any kind of “national ID card.” This will increase border security and make it more difficult for illegal immigrants and potential terrorists to obtain and use false documents.