Congressman Vela will serve on the House Homeland Security Committee in 113th Congress

Brownsville, Texas – Today, Congressman Filemon Vela of the 34th District of Texas and State Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville) received a briefing and tour given by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in conjunction with Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection regarding ongoing efforts to secure the border.

“This was an important briefing that informed us about what the Department of Homeland Security and its federal agencies are doing to secure the U.S. border and ensure that we continue working towards keeping organized criminal activities, drug smuggling and other illicit activities out of our country,” Vela said. “In the next few months, as I begin my service on the House Homeland Security Committee, I will work with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure that we provide them with the needed manpower, resources and technology to secure the border.”

Senator Lucio said the briefing helped him better understand border issues and homeland security issues.

"Throughout my time in the Senate I have strived to be an advocate for law enforcement along the border, especially due to heightened tension in northern Mexico due to international criminal enterprise.  It is my belief that if we are to have a secure border region, we need to ensure that meaningful dialogue takes place between the U.S. Congress and local law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and elected officials on the border," Sen. Lucio said.  "I want to thank Congressman Vela and his staff for inviting me to take part in this important fact-finding day.  I want to also thank Homeland Security for sharing their wealth of experience and knowledge with me."

The briefing began at 8 a.m. Thursday in Olmito, Texas. Congressman Vela and Senator Lucio were briefed on border security issues, port of entry issues and coastal and maritime issues. The U.S. Border Patrol took them on a tour of the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector.