Congress must do more to help support the needs of local law enforcement along the Southwest border with Mexico as they confront rising violence from Mexican drug cartels, Congressman Mike Rogers said today.

Discussed today at a Homeland Security subcommittee hearing, Rogers heard testimony from two border sheriffs that local first responders need more than just empty promises from the Federal Government.  Law enforcement officers along the border testified they are understaffed and underfunded to help keep American citizens living along the border safe from drug related violence from Mexico. Witnesses said they all need additional communication equipment, infrastructure and personnel. Congressman Mike Rogers serves as Ranking Member on the subcommittee.

“With the fighting between drug cartels in Mexico, our nation must be prepared to stop the terrible violence from coming into our country,” Rogers said. “Congress must do more to help support and financially aid first responders along the Southwest border to keep violence down and illegal immigrants out.” Rogers also called on the Department to hire, train, and deploy more federal ICE agents to work in concert with local first responders.

Rogers added, “What we discussed today will be very important for helping Congress do the right thing when it comes to providing support for our law enforcement officials. The violence along our border with Mexico is increasingly dangerous, and it is imperative that Congress doesn’t get caught flat footed in response.”

Rogers is as also a member of the Armed Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee.

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