Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Austin) yesterday urged consideration of his bill to fully fund border sheriffs after the Obama administration announced a shift in funds that fell far short of what border law enforcement officers have said they need.
McCAUL
McCaul, whose congressional district includes much of the Katy area, commended the Obama administration for providing some funding, but said border sheriffs needed much more than “a minor shift in funding.”
He said his bill, H.R. 2047, would give law enforcement what it needs to protect the border.
“My bill gives border sheriffs the resources they’ve been asking for to do their jobs, and it has bipartisan support,” McCaul said. “The border is our last line of defense against drugs, terrorists and weapons of mass destruction entering this country. If we’re serious about national security, the border has to be better funded.”
Earlier in the day, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced a shift in current funding levels within the Operation Stonegarden grant program. The change gave 76 percent of the $60 million program to southern border states with the remaining 24 percent going to states along the northern border.
Previously, southern states were slated to receive 60 percent of the total amount.
Under the new plan, Texas’ share will increase to $17 million from $13 million.
In sharp contrast, McCaul’s bill would authorize increased funding for Operation Stonegarden to $500 million for each fiscal year through 2014.
McCaul said the current level of funding does not give sheriffs the long-term commitment needed to retain qualified officers and replace substandard equipment.
Donald Reay, executive director of the Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition, agreed.
“Funding is necessary and the current amount, although appreciated, falls short of the true need,” Reay said. “Local governmental entities cannot afford to support this partnership without the support of the federal government in the area of overtime, travel costs, direct operating costs and equipment. All are critical to the mission of protecting our communities.”
As chair of the Subcommittee on Investigations, McCaul authored the 2006 report “A Line in the Sand: Confronting the Threat at the Southwest Border” which exposed the emergence of the drug cartels and potential for violence.
Also, prior to entering Congress, McCaul was chief of counter-terrorism in the US Attorney’s Office overseeing the Southwest Border.
By: John Pape on Fri, Jun 5, 2009
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