Members of House Homeland Security Panels Oppose Plan to Divert Border Security Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 14, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Democratic Members of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, led byCongresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), and the House Homeland Security Committee, led byCongressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), sent a letter to the House Ways and Means Committee 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 (CBP) 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.”
