Issue Position: Border & Homeland Security

Issue Position

As the Chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism, I am engaged and actively pursuing those security measures which better protect the American people from the spectrum of 21st Century threats we face today.

Now more than ever, we have to shore up our Homeland Security efforts in all aspects of American travel, commerce and living. As a native to the nation's southern international border, I understand how vital it is to secure our nation's Land Ports of Entry from the security challenges of today.

This is why I believe in coordinating the collaborative efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to better protect our border and to respond to the evolving threats and violence associated with drug trafficking, human trafficking, weapons smuggling, arms trades and cash and contraband movement across our nation's borders.

As the former Chairman to the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response, I've been an active partner in preparing our nation's first responders, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency as we work together to prevent and respond to acts of terrorism, natural disasters and other national emergencies.

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