Speech #1050042730

Mr. Speaker. we have one Border Patrol agent for every 2.5 miles of border as I speak. In the last 6 weeks Border Patrol agents have been shot. one almost killed. Eighty percent of certain narcotics are coming across the border. Illegal immigration is running rampant and the American people have been asking. look. if Congress has declared war on illegal immigration. if Congress has declared war on drugs. then when is Congress going to engage in the battle? When is Congress going to fight? I want to thank the gentleman from New York . the chairman. the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Goss]. the gentleman from Massachusetts and everyone who has helped to make my amendment in order. The Traficant amendment says that our military. that right now many of them are falling out of chairs without arm rests overseas. can be transferred to our border in the Southwest. not to make arrests but to detain and hold illegal immigrants and people running across the border with backpacks full of narcotics and cocaine for the Border Patrol. Mr. Speaker. let me say this.