Letter to the Hon. Adam Smith, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and the Hon. Mac Thornberry, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee - Congressman Biggs Leads Letter about Anti-Border Security Measures in the NDAA

Letter

Dear Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Thornberry,

As you begin consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, we urge to not include any provisions that undermine security operations on our southern border.

Last year, the House passed H.R. 2500, which included three provisions that would have made it extremely difficult for the Department of Defense (DOD) to defend our country. Section 1044 would have prohibited DOD from deploying servicemembers to the border to assist United States Customs and Border Protection Officials in border security operations. Sections 1046 and 2801 would have prohibited the use of DOD counterdrug programs and military construction funds to build a border wall, fence, or other physical barrier along the southern border.

Mexican drug trafficking organizations continue to threaten our Border Patrol agents and the livelihoods of our border ranchers. Securing our border is necessary if we are to ever stop the onslaught of drug and human trafficking, and terrorists on the border.

The construction of a wall is a crucial component to managing the humanitarian and security crisis at our southern border. It will help deter the drug cartels and the tens of thousands of people who risk their lives attempting to cross our border illegally.

The coronavirus outbreak will end; however, the threats at our southern border will remain for the long term if our inaction continues. We hope you understand the severity of this crisis and urge your opposition to any anti-border security measures.