Ranking Members Thompson and Raskin Issue Statement Following Fourth Voluntary Transcribed Interview with Border Patrol Sector Chief
(WASHINGTON) - Committee on Oversight and Accountability Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, and Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson, issued the following statement after the Committees’ voluntary transcribed interview with U.S. Border Patrol agent Joel Martinez, Chief Patrol Agent of the Laredo Sector:
“With the Committees now having completed their fourth transcribed interview with Border Patrol Sector Chiefs, we have drawn the same conclusion as at every single interview before it: additional resources provided by the Biden-Harris Administration have assisted, and will continue to assist, Border Patrol agents in fulfilling their mission at the border.
“Instead of listening to Chief Martinez’s request for additional resources, and to the Sector Chiefs who have voluntarily answered hours of questions before us, Republicans continue to threaten our national security by their polemical calls to defund vital law enforcement agencies. Republicans have confirmed they would rather score political points than work with the Administration and Congressional Democrats to continue ensuring that Border Patrol has the resources it needs to fulfill its critical mission. Despite months of fear mongering, Republican claims that the end of the Covid-related Title 42 would result in an ‘open border’ haven’t materialized. As Chief Martinez reported during his interview: there is no crisis at the Laredo sectors and migrant encounters are at a manageable level.
“Enough is enough. It’s past time that Republicans heed the call from our men and women at Border Patrol and work cooperatively with Democrats to help address the challenges at the border.”
# # #
Press Contact
Adam Comis (Homeland Security): 202-226-2616
Nelly Decker (Oversight and Accountability): 202-226-5181
Next Article Previous Article