Media Center
Latest News
"I appreciate Secretary Napolitano’s visit to the border and recognizing the need to secure it. However, this administration’s commitment to providing resources for law enforcement agents along the border continues to fall short of what has been requested by our border sheriffs. Funding levels for Operation Stonegarden have stagnated this year and the administration has proposed cuts to the program in FY’11.
Washington, D.C.– Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) successfully added an amendment to a bill that advances environmentally responsible oil and gas exploration. The amendment, accepted in committee with bipartisan support, ensures federal research funding is spent on research and development for safer exploration and production methods. The bill reprioritizes funding in the existing program by increasing R&D funding for Safety and Accident Prevention and Mitigation within the Department of Energy.
“Texas requested 1,000 National Guard troops over a year ago. Two hundred fifty over 1,200 miles doesn’t exactly represent a commitment to securing our border. Our Border Patrol agents and border sheriffs are outmanned. El Paso sits across a river from one of the most violent cities in the world. They need substantial support. I have further concerns that Guard members deployed will work in a support role instead of an operational capacity.
“Appointing a police chief of a sanctuary city to help lead the agency charged with arresting and deporting illegal immigrants sends a message that the Obama administration has little interest in enforcing our immigration laws.
“General McChrystal should be commended for his service to our country and for advancing our efforts to eradicate terrorism. While the circumstances of his departure are unfortunate, and the timing critical, we must keep our focus on our mission in Afghanistan to defeat al Qaeda, the Taliban and other extremist terror networks that continue to plot against the United States. General Petraeus led the successful surge in Iraq and he is a wise choice to continue a similar strategy in Afghanistan today.”
“Our first priority must be to clean up the environmental damage caused by this spill and to make whole again those whose livelihoods and property have been harmed. America's beaches and wetlands must be restored to protect our sensitive environment and those who live and work on the Gulf Coast. I support a full investigation to prevent future disasters and so that we may hold those who are responsible fully accountable.