Rep. Cook Votes For Increased Border Security

WASHINGTON – Rep. Paul Cook (R- Apple Valley) today voted in favor of three bills to improve the security of America’s borders. H.R. 3586, H.R. 4482, and H.R. 4403 work together to improve the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), develop a plan to defeat security threats on the southwest border, and create programs that will improve the vetting of travelers coming to America.

H.R. 3586, the Border and Maritime Coordination Improvement Act, improves coordination between agencies within the DHS and streamlines operations. The bill improves US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to better identify individuals who pose a security risk and may be inadmissible to the United States. The bill directs agencies like the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Patrol to integrate their air and marine operations to provide better security along America’s shores.

H.R. 4482, the Southwest Border Security Threat Assessment Act, directs the Border Patrol to conduct a comprehensive threat analysis of terrorist and criminal activity along the southwest border. Further, this bill directs the Chief of the Border Patrol to create a strategic plan to counter these threats and to update this plan every 5 years.

H.R. 4403, the Enhancing Overseas Traveler Vetting Act, authorizes both DHS and the Department of State to develop new, open-source software to vet travelers against terrorist watch lists and law enforcement databases. This effort will close existing security gaps in vetting processes and help stop terrorists from entering the country.

Rep. Cook said, "These bills are concrete steps to defend our borders and stop terrorist attacks before they happen. We must stop terrorists and criminals disguised as tourists or refugees from sneaking into our country. I’m committed to providing our law enforcement and homeland security agencies the tools they need to secure our country and keep Americans safe."

A member of the House Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Natural Resources Committees, Cook served as an infantry officer and retired after 26 years as a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. During his time in combat, he was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.