Congressman Cuellar Debates Defense Amendment: Goode Amendment Is ‘BAD’ For U.S.-Mexico Border

[Press Release from U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo), TX-CD-28]

“Having lived on the US-Mexico border all my life, I am acutely aware of the negative implications that the deployment of armed troops would have on America’s relations with our neighboring country. What we need is a smart and tough border control policy, not military force,” stated Congressman Cuellar on the House Floor today as Congress continued consideration of the National Defense Authorization Bill for fiscal year 2007.  He also spoke against the construction of a wall between the U.S. - Mexico border.

Congressman Goode (R-VA) is proposing an amendment to this bill which authorizes the secretary of Defense to assign members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps to assist the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Homeland Security Department in their border-protection duties. The amendment also authorizes the secretaries of Homeland Security and Defense to establish a training program that offers general instruction to the requested forces on law enforcement issues in the border areas.

Congressman Cuellar is opposed to this initiative which proposes deploying military force on the US-Mexico Border. “This amendment is an unnecessary initiative which does not address border issues and which will have a direct and negative impact on national relations between the United States and Mexico. This amendment is no good,” Congressman Cuellar added.

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Budget and Agriculture committees in the 109th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care and economic development are his priorities.