Statement : Homeland Security
June 21, 2023
Statement
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks at the Committee's markup of the fiscal year 2024 Homeland Security bill.
June 21, 2023
Statement
Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the Appropriations Committee's markup of the fiscal year 2024 Homeland Security bill.
May 18, 2023
Statement
The bill also misses opportunities to make smart investments to address urgent issues facing our country – such as providing more resources to counter the trafficking of illicit narcotics into our country, such as fentanyl and opioids; expanding our capacities at our ports of entry and interior checkpoints; intel specialists, inspection and detection technology, and infrastructure upgrades to keep pace with increasing volumes of trade and travel to the U.S. as global supply chains and international travel rebound to pre-pandemic levels; and requiring an updated Border Security Improvement Plan – which is now completely outdated.
May 18, 2023
Statement
Aside from being built on a house of cards, the bill before us today makes irresponsible investments that weaken our national security and harm the Homeland Security workforce. It will not get control at the border. My Republican colleagues are once again proposing to waste billions of dollars on a useless and ineffective border wall – rather than focusing resources where we need them most, like combatting fentanyl entering through our ports of entry, supporting the Homeland Security workforce, discouraging the flow of migrants from Central America, helping our border communities, advancing our cybersecurity posture, and protecting our communities from violent extremism and foreign adversaries.
April 19, 2023
Statement
"Commissioner Miller – you and I have discussed the several issues that CBP has been called upon to address. From managing an increasingly complex humanitarian challenge at our border; to countering the flow of illicit drugs through our ports of entry; to combatting forced labor – CBP has never been asked to do more. As appropriators, we must ensure that you have what you need to accomplish these missions."
April 19, 2023
Statement
"The Coast Guard plays a critical role in many facets of our lives — from saving those in peril to securing our borders and ensuring our national security. The Coast Guard’s fiscal year 2024 budget request of $13.2 billion makes key investments in personnel, vessels, aircraft, and other programs that will assist in its search and rescue mission along with critical activities at our maritime border, including the interdiction of drugs and addressing the increasing flow of migrants."
April 18, 2023
Statement
"The frequency and severity of disasters not just in Texas but all over the country is on the rise and increasing in severity. FEMA’s work helps communities affected by these disasters. The disaster relief fund provides the funding necessary to respond to disasters like in Texas and assist with the recovery process, including providing critical resources and supplies. FEMA plays a vital role in helping during our greatest time of need, before, during, and after disasters."
April 18, 2023
Statement
As the Federal agency charged with the enforcement of violations of customs and immigration laws, the breadth of the investigatory and operational work of ICE has a wide net including combatting transnational criminal organizations, illicit drug trafficking, human trafficking and smuggling networks, and violations of trade and intellectual property. I look forward to today’s discussion of the President’s Budget Request and how the proposal will better enable ICE to fulfill its critical national security mission.
March 29, 2023
Statement
"It is no secret that there will be large bills to pay in FY24, and while I am concerned that the Administration continued its strategy to assume budgetary offsets that have historically not been enacted by Congress, I look forward to working with you on ensuring DHS has the resources it needs to succeed in its vital mission of securing the nation from the many threats we face."
March 28, 2023
Statement
"We also understand that we want to talk to you a little bit more about the FY23 funding bill that supported TSA’s efforts to provide parity to TSA’s workforce, an effort to bring TSA employees on par with their peers in the rest of the Federal government. We do know that there is some work to be done legislatively."