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I serve as a member of the Committee on Homeland Security, which is responsible for oversight of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

I also sit on the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies.  One of the primary responsibilities of this subcommittee is to address the growing threat of cyber warfare and to investigate ways to prevent cyber attacks on American institutions.

Serving on the Committee on Homeland Security allows me to bring my perspective as someone who lives on the U.S. – Mexico border to discussions of border security and immigration to ensure that South Texas has a voice in federal legislation and policies. 

As co-chair of the Congressional Border Caucus, I am working to ensure that efforts to increase security on our borders take a balanced approach that includes investing in international ports of entry.  It is critical that we expand resources for infrastructure, equipment and personnel needed at our ports to ensure that goods and travelers entering this country can do so quickly and efficiently while halting the flow of drugs and other contraband.  This is particularly important when considering that last year alone, U.S. trade with Mexico reached $500 billion and impacted every U.S. state.