WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) delivered the following opening statement during a markup to consider legislation that will combat threats from transnational criminal organizations, bolster U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) international partnerships to counter human smuggling and drug trafficking, and enhance CBP’s canine support operations.

Watch Chairman Green’s full opening statement here.

As prepared for delivery:

Good morning, everyone, and thank you for being here. I’d like to start today by welcoming Mr. Al Green from Texas back to the committee.

I look forward to today’s markup. We have five bills under consideration today, of which all have broad bipartisan support and are the product of a lot of hard work and discussion. I am proud to say that these bills reflect our shared commitment to improving the operation of DHS and promoting transparency.

I commend my Republican colleagues, Representatives Gonzales, Knott, and Guest for bringing forth important measures to strengthen DHS and safeguard the homeland.

The PEARL Act initiates a pilot program in which CBP will adopt local shelter dogs and train them for the Support Canine Program. This will benefit not only CBP’s mission, but also the mental health of our brave frontline personnel.

The Tren de Aragua Border Security Threat Assessment Act requires DHS to conduct a threat assessment regarding the criminal threats posed by Members of the violent transnational criminal organization, Tren de Aragua (TdA). It also requires DHS to develop a strategic plan to counter the threats identified through its assessment. This legislation will be vital in helping to identify and mitigate transnational criminal threats. I will say, I am deeply disappointed by Democrats’ refusal to sign on as co-sponsors of this important legislation, after doing so on an identical bill last Congress. This issue demands bipartisan unity, and I hope they will vote in support today.

The Combatting International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize officers and agents of Air and Marine operations to offer support to governments of foreign countries if an arrangement has been entered by the United States Government. This is an important change that will improve our ability to work with foreign partners to stop human and drug trafficking at its source—and importantly, before these evils reach our own borders and communities.

I also want to thank our minority counterparts, Representative Correa for offering common-sense legislation that would benefit CBP canine handlers and canines by establishing training and best practices, and Representative Goldman for his bill to improve stakeholder outreach, engagement, education, technical assistance, and support prior to the awarding of grants.

I strongly support all of the bills under consideration in today’s markup, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

###