Keeping Communities Safe
As a former Secretary of State of Texas, I understand how vitally important it is to provide our geographically diverse communities with the resources they need to meet the needs of keeping their communities safe.
In Congress, I serve on the House Homeland Security Committee and as the former Chairman to the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response, I've worked directly with DHS, FEMA and local first responders to ensure our communities are adequately prepared to handle the evolving threats and challenges of the 21st Century.
In Texas and throughout the 28th Congressional District, I've worked hard with local police departments, sheriffs offices, CBP and ICE to ensure our communities have the resources they need. In fact, in 2009 I helped secure the following vital funds in the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill for 2010:
- $10.1 billion for CBP, with almost $3.6 billion going to fully support the 20,163 Border Patrol agents, an increase of 6,000 since 2006 and 17,000 of these agents will be based on the Southern Border.
- Provided $72.6 million for additional scanning systems for southbound lanes and checkpoints to look for and confiscate weapons and currency used in the drug trade.
- An additional $145 million for the Western Hemispheric Travel Initiative for more technology and infrastructure at busy land ports of entry. This will help facilitate travel and security for all travelers right here in Laredo.
- The bill also provides $5.7 billion for ICE to combat international trade in illicit drugs and weapons smuggling, including the expansion of Border Enforcement Security Task Forces.
Border Security
As the Chairman of the House Homeland Security Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism Subcommittee, I work with the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard and intelligence gathering agencies, to ensure the nation's communities are kept safe from emerging threats domestic and abroad. This includes Congressional oversight of the Department of Homeland Security and the initiatives they take to combat terrorism, border violence and other threats to the United States.
To learn more about this committee, please visit: http://homeland.house.gov/
Southern Border Security Taskforce: Since coming to Congress in 2005, I've authored dozens of border security related bills, including H.R. 1437 the Southern Border Security Taskforce Act of 2009 which directs DHS to create a security task force to coordinate the efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement officials to protect U.S. border cities from the violence associated with:
- Drug Trafficking
- Weapons Trafficking
- Human Smuggling
- Cash Smuggling
In December 2009, this legislation was included in the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP), a bill that also falls into the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism.
U.S. Mexico High Level Commission: Also in 2009, I authored legislation which was signed into law by the President in December that calls for a high-level U.S. Mexico Commission to increase interoperability between law enforcement agencies working to secure the border in the U.S. and in Mexico.
Coast Guard and the Rio Grande: The House also passed in 2009 legislation I authored calling for a Coast Guard mission analysis to determine the Coast Guard’s presence along the Rio Grande. The 1,800 mile river and international waterway separates the U.S. and Mexico and is vitally important to the interdiction of drugs, weapons and contraband.
UAV for Texas: In 2010, I requested to Customs and Border Protection an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the U.S. Mexico Border along the Rio Grande in South Texas. Since 2005, these aircraft have helped patrol the nation's northern and southern borders, especially in remote areas. Surprisingly, a UAV has not yet been deployed to Texas despite the visible needs. Between El Paso and Brownsville, this aircraft could greatly benefit remote regions and augment the good work of border patrol. This is why I will continue to push for a UAV for Texas. Learn more here: http://www.cuellar.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=171434
Emergency Funding: In April 2010, I joined eight other border lawmakers from Texas, Arizona, California and New Mexico in requesting from Congress substantial emergency funding to assist federal, state and local law enforcement in light of escalated border violence along the Rio Grande in Mexico. Learn more here: http://www.cuellar.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=181910
