Washington, Nov 18 -

Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02) is urging against a plan being considered by the administration to begin to withdraw National Guard troops from the US-Mexico border in February 2011.  Rep. Poe plans to join other members of Congress in a letter to the President later today.

“The last thing we need to do right now is pull any resources from the border,” said Poe.  “In fact, we need to be doing the exact opposite.  Considering any plan that would draw down troops from the border and further weaken national security shows exactly how far out-of-touch Washington really is with reality.”

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that under this proposed plan, in February 2011, the Texas, New Mexico and California National Guard forces that were deployed to the border in September 2010, under the President's Southwest Border Augmentation Plan, will have 30 days to complete a total draw down of forces. The funds originally budgeted to those three states will be reprogrammed to allow Arizona an additional 100 troops from March - September 2011 or until such time when the funding allocated to this program is exhausted. 

“The current funding and deployment is inadequate,” continued Poe.  “In Texas, the current deployment of 286 unarmed troops for 1,256 miles of border is nothing more than a political attempt to say they are doing something, when in fact they are not doing anything.  The American people are sick to death of the continued lip service given to the war along our southern border.  We protect the people and the borders of other nations every day, it’s time we start taking care of business at home.”

Recently, Congressman Poe filed the National Guard Border Enforcement Act.  This bill will authorize the Secretary of Defense to make 10,000 National Guard troops available upon request from a U.S. Governor.  In addition, these troops will be paid for by the federal government and serve under the command of the requesting governor. 

Prior to serving in Congress, Congressman Poe served as a prosecutor and judge in Houston, Texas, for 30 years.  Poe regularly travels to the southern border and is recognized by the Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition as a top supporter of law enforcement and border security.  Congressman Poe serves on the Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security; a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs; and serves as an Executive Member of the Immigration Reform Caucus.

To view a copy of the letter sent to President Obama, click here

###