Congressman McCaul Applauds Latest Funding for Border Security Vows to Keep Fighting for More to Destroy Drug Cartels

AUSTIN, TX – Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX 10) applauded the efforts of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to secure $100 million in the Senate for our federal agents and border sheriffs defending our country against brazen Mexican drug cartels.

Meanwhile, Congressman McCaul continues to pursue $500 million in the House to give our federal agents and border sheriffs more resources to secure the border. It is part of his two pronged military strategy to take out the cartels in Mexico and stop the violence from spilling over into the United States.

"The border is our last line of defense in the War on Terror. And I believe we must do everything we can to secure it, and at the same time take the fight to the cartels on the Mexican side," McCaul said. "It is my hope that the amendment seeking this funding that I proposed in the House Foreign Affairs Committee Wednesday will now be granted a hearing in the Judiciary Committee."

Rep. McCaul and Sen. Hutchison agree that more money is needed on the U.S. side of the border to ensure that federal and local law enforcement are properly equipped to locate anyone who is smuggling drugs, weapons or humans into our country. "The Merida initiative will help Mexico combat the challenges of narco-trafficking, but it does not address the needs of U.S. border sheriffs and police officers who are waging the same battle every day," Sen. Hutchison said.

In a report he authored in 2006 titled "A Line in the Sand", Congressman McCaul predicted the rise to power of the Mexican drug cartels and the increased violence and corruption they spawn.

Congressman McCaul looks forward to continuing to work with Senator Hutchison as well as his House colleagues to ensure that our border with Mexico is secure.