I would just remind my fellow Americans that over
5,000 Americans die every month from drug overdoses. Just a few months ago, I, along with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Veasey), had the opportunity to visit with the Joint Interagency Task
Force South and SOUTHCOM's headquarters in Florida to hear and see
firsthand the challenges that migrant and drug interdiction within the
Caribbean region pose on homeland and national security. Included in the fiscal year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act
is a provision that I authored aimed at addressing the threat these
transnational criminal organizations pose on our country and seeking to
find new ways to support SOUTHCOM in their continuing efforts to tackle
those threats head-on. To all of the members of the SOUTHCOM team, I want to thank you for
the important work that you do in securing our coastlines, supporting
our national security, and protecting your fellow Americans.