WASHINGTON D.C.—Today, Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) offered an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act to strengthen communication abilities between border state residents and law enforcement. The Poe amendment passed the House unanimously with bipartisan support. Congressman Poe worked with Congressman Altmire and the office of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords to pass similar amendments to the Department of Homeland Security bill in the 111th and 112th Congresses.

“The failure of the federal government to secure the Southern Border has left border state residents vulnerable to spillover crime from Mexico,” said Poe. “Many border areas are rural and lack wireless communications capabilities, exacerbating safety concerns. If the federal government is not willing or able to secure the border, at the very least, it must equip our citizens and law enforcement with the capability to call for help. What happened to Rob Krentz should never happen again.”