112th Congress
Addresses DHS' Failure to Respond to Private Sector Technology
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A second Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) will soon be based in Texas in an effort to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border. The Predator UAV is equipped with anelectro-optical/infrared sensor system that vastly improves the operational effectiveness in CBP missions and is-drone with synthetic aperture radar suitable for flights in darkness and inclement weather. By the end of 2011,the next UAV will be stationed at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station alongside the Guardian UAV, which began service including maritime missions earlier this year.
WASHINGTON, D.C.– The use of technology to secure our borders and airports alone costs taxpayers billions of dollars. This Friday, July 15, Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) will convene a hearing to determine whether the Department of Homeland Security effectively leverages existing and emerging technologies, or whether DHS needlessly spends money to reinvent the wheel. Issues the hearing will examine include:
Statement entered into the official House Record by Congressman McCaul, Co-Chair of the House Sudan Caucus:
Title:
Extension to Remarks on the Republic of South Sudan's Decleration of Independence
Hon. & Members Offical Name:
Hon. Michael T. McCaul
Member's Name as it Appears in Official Record:
Mr. McCaul
**Type Extension to Remarks below, the space alloted will expand as you type**
Statement by Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX); member of the House Science, Space & Technology Committee; Space & Aeronautics Subcommittee; on the end of the Space Shuttle program:
I am appalled at the offensive decision by the Houston VA Cemetery Director to purge American citizens of their rights to free speech and religion. Her attempts at religious censorship on veterans' cemetery grounds only adds to the pain that grieving families feel when laying to rest loved ones who have fought and died for the very same freedoms she now denies. I am equally appalled that this administration is attempting to defend her actions in court. This is an affront to all veterans, and to the constitutional and historic foundations of our nation, which I reject.
"Not only has this president made it more difficult to produce energy in America, making us more dependent on foreign countries, now he is depleting our reserves by releasing four percent to the world market. Once again, this president puts the needs of foreign countries ahead of our own. The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve was established for emergencies that threaten our national security, not for a political crisis."
"The generals in charge of this operation recommended to the president that we withdrawal 5,000 troops at the end of this year and then assess the situation based on conditions on the ground. Unfortunately this president rejected the advice of his top military advisors in the field and instead decided to go forward with a political calculation geared toward the next election.