John Kelly. the commander of U.S. Southern Command. testified: "With the amount of drugs and people that move across our southwest border. it doesnt seem all that secure to me." General Kelly went on to state that the threat of terrorists crossing our southern border is "extremely serious" and that "if a terrorist or almost anyone wants to get into our country. they just pay the fare." They just pay the fare. That is why this bill would provide $45 million for Operation Phalanx. increasing border security operations by the National Guard along the southern border. and boosting aerial surveillance of the region by up to 60 percent. To date. Operation Phalanx has directly contributed to more than 96.000 apprehensions along the border and the interdiction of more than 282.000 pounds of drugs destined for our communities. The legislation directs the Secretary of Defense to provide up to $75 million in additional assistance to Customs and Border Protection operations to secure the southern border. potentially including the deployment of personnel. surveillance assets. and intelligence support from the U.S. military. The NDAA would authorize an additional $50 million to address U.S. Southern Commands unfunded priorities to increase surveillance and interdiction operations in Central Americaa primary transit point for illicit trafficking into the United States.
Keywords matched
Border Protection border security