Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Language offered by Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Congressman Bill Keating (D-MA), calling for the designation of Iran’s Qods Force as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), was unanimously agreed to as part of comprehensive Iran sanctions legislation adopted today by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House Homeland Security Committee unanimously approved bipartisan legislation introduced by Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX 10) to compel the Department of Homeland Security to develop a strategy for gaining operational control of our borders in two years. H.R. 1417, the Border Security Results Act, requires DHS to utilize technology to gain situational awareness and to produce metrics to accurately gauge progress.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA), released the following statement on the Department of Justice refusing to answer questions about whether it advised the Army in the Fort Hood case:

Chairman McCaul: Our homeland security hinges on how well we can control who and what comes into this country. A porous border is a conduit for not only drug smugglers and human traffickers, but is also a vulnerability that terrorists can exploit.

We have all heard the empty claims by the Administration that the border is more secure now than ever. But this rhetoric is in stark contrast to reality.

At a hearing today examining the Boston Marathon Bombings, Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, Massachusetts DHS Undersecretary Kurt Schwartz and former U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman examined the lack of information sharing about Tamerlan Tsarnaev between federal, state and local authorities prior to the April 15 terrorist attack:

Chairman McCaul: Before the bombing, were you aware that based on this Russian intelligence, that the FBI opened an investigation into Tamerlan?

"Texas has maintained unemployment rates consistently below the national average, and one of the most dynamic high tech sectors in the nation continues to thrive. By contrast, when the President visited Applied Materials he brought his agenda which has only served to stifle growth, slow economic recovery and create an heir of uncertainty for companies attempting to expand. While I welcome the President to the 10th District, I also encourage him to look around at what low taxes and fewer government regulations help job-creating innovators to produce.

Chairman McCaul: The attacks in Boston shook this nation, and brought back memories of that day in September, 2001, that changed our lives forever. I am confident that we will emerge from this tragedy stronger than ever before. Anyone who thinks they can execute an attack on this country and change our way of life, greatly underestimates our spirit and our resolve.

A Disaster Recovery Center will open at 7 a.m. Saturday, May 4 in West, Texas for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the fertilizer plant explosion.

Specialists from the State of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors. The center will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and will remain open until further notice.