A Look Ahead: House Committee on Homeland Security Committee (***Updated with Witness Names, Additional Hearing)

Statement

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Chairman McCaul on the hearing:

"Every American needs to be aware of the threat these narco-terrorists pose to our communities in every state and to our national security. To date, this administration has buried its head in the sand rather than confront the extraordinary magnitude of the cartels' incursions and operations in the United States and the propensity for increased violence. If the White House does not heed the warning that now is the time to commit to a comprehensive strategy to secure the border, it unfortunately may take a catastrophic event to get their attention."

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Chairman McCaul on the hearing:

"It was well known almost a year ago that Texas faced extreme fire danger yet the federal government took no steps to pre-position aviation assets that would have made a significant difference. The number of firefighting aircraft was insufficient to attack dozens of fires burning simultaneously. Nowhere was this more evident and the results more devastating than in Bastrop County -- one of the most beautiful parts of Texas and part of my congressional district.

"The takeaway from these devastating fires is that help should be a phone call away instead of an act of Congress, and the resources to help should be readily available. The goal of this oversight hearing and investigation is to ensure the most rapid, organized and prepared response the next time fires erupt."

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