Strategic Military Assessment of Border, Cartels

Statement

U.S. Army Generals Barry McCaffrey and Robert Scales (both retired) testified before my committee that the Mexican drug cartels are increasing their operational presence in the United States, are responsible for violent crimes on U.S. soil and pose a threat to our national security. The Generals' testimony, based on their report Texas Border Security: A Strategic Military Assessment, further asserts that "federal agencies have yet to establish effective operational control of much of the border and that the drug cartels are attempting to establish safe havens in Texas as a launching point into the rest of the United States." I invited these witnesses before Congress because Washington does not take this issue seriously enough. It was unfortunate that I had to remind one of my colleagues that Generals McCaffrey and Scales are American war heroes who are to be respected, and not frivolously accused of taking part in a political agenda.

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