Members of House Homeland Security Panels Reject Plan to Divert Border Security Funding
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Democratic Members of the House Committee on Homeland Security, led by Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), and the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, led by Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), sent a letter to the House Committee on Ways and Means voicing opposition to language in the Senate-approved highway bill (H.R. 22) that would divert customs revenue away from border security needs to fund future highway projects.
This dangerous precedent comes at a time when more continues to be expected of America’s Customs and Border Protection officers, who are charged with keeping U.S. borders secure. Furthermore, 3,811 additional CBP officers are needed to meet current workloads – a number which cannot be supported by current funding. Without proper staffing and necessary funding, our borders will likely face longer wait times, slowed trade, and compromised security.
In their letter, the Members write:
“It is critical that any increases in Customs User Fees, including additional revenue from indexing current fees to inflation, be applied to sorely needed border security needs, including the need for increases to CBP Officer staffing to strengthen America’s border security and economy. We strongly urge you to reject the diversion of Customs User Fees to pay for unrelated projects in the highway bill or, for that matter, any other legislation.”
Link To Letter
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PRESS CONTACTS:
(Thompson) (202) 225-9978
(Roybal-Allard) Ben Soskin at (202) 225-1766
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