Congresswoman Napolitano Attends Immigration Field Hearing

(SAN DIEGO, CA)- Today Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (D-Norwalk) participated in an immigration field hearing hosted by the House International Relations Committee.  The Congresswoman joined her colleagues at the hearing in questioning Border Patrol and other law enforcement officials on their observations of border vulnerabilities that could contribute to terrorist threats.

“We have a problem, and all the talking in the world isn’t going to help.  For everybody to do their job, it has to be funded,” explained the Congresswoman in her opening remarks, referring to the failure of the House of Representatives to fully fund the needs of the United States Border Patrol.

On May 25, 2006 as the House of Representatives debated the 2007 budget for the Department of Homeland security, Democrats offered an amendment that would have added $2.1 billion for border security, including $1.5 billion to meet the promises Congress made on additional Border Patrol agents, immigration agents, and detention beds in the 9/11 Act.  The amendment also included $610 million to further increase border detection capabilities, including funding more radiation portal monitors along the borders and providing additional air patrols along the borders.

The Republican Majority in Congress voted against the amendment, and thereby prevented full funding of the Border Patrol.

“Are we talking, or are we acting?” the Congresswoman asked of her colleagues and the audience.

Testimony at the hearing focused on three basic needs of law enforcement: personnel, technology, and infrastructure.  Congresswoman Napolitano received affirmative responses after asking several of the witnesses if their operations would be enhanced with increased funding for these needs.

The field hearing is one of many immigration related hearings scheduled for July and August.
 

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