CUELLAR PROVISION WOULD CREATE US-MEXICO COMMISSION TO FIGHT BORDER VIOLENCE
Written by admin, Jul 11, 2009, 0 Comments
STATE-FOREIGN OPERATIONS BILL INCLUDES CUELLAR PROVISION TO CREATE FIRST BI-NATIONAL COMMISSION TO COORDINATE US-MEXICO BORDER EFFORTS
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) today applauded Thursday’s House passage of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2010, which invests over $48 billion to bolster U.S. foreign policy efforts and includes a provision authored by Congressman Cuellar that calls for the creation of a high level US-Mexico Commission dedicated to reducing border violence by sharing information and coordinating border security operations between both countries.
“What happened this week in Chihuahua State is another glaring reminder that border violence is a critical problem for both Americans and Mexicans,” said Congressman Cuellar. “We must act quickly to create a US-Mexico Commission. This bi-national partnership will merge our resources, connect our communications and bridge important efforts already underway. This bilateral alliance will aid information sharing, prevent duplication and facilitate a more unified, more effective response to fighting the drug cartels and the violence they ensue.”
The proposed commission would expand bi-national communications between U.S. and Mexico first responders and law enforcement positioned along the Southern Border, aiming to increase the interoperability of these organizations in order to curb the flow of illegal firearms, illicit drugs and bulk cash moving north and south. Congressman Cuellar proposed the provision in April, and it was added to the bill by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, chaired by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY).
Congressman Cuellar worked with Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, to propose the provision.
“Security assistance under the Merida Initiative is crucial. But, just as important, the Merida Initiative has allowed for renewed cooperation between the United States and Mexico,” said Congressman Engel. “This bilateral commission will further deepen our relations, and will especially help to curb the illegal flow of contraband across the United States-Mexico border.”
“I appreciate the strong support of Chairwoman Lowey and Chairman Engel, both of whom were instrumental including this provision in the bill,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Their ceaseless dedication and commitment to reducing border violence is unmatched.”
The State-Foreign Operations Bill also includes $318 million, which brings total 2009 Merida funding to $572.8 million, which is $168.8 million above last year’s level. The bill also directs $10 million towards bilateral implementation offices where Mexican and U.S. officials work together to fight drug traffickers. This funding is used towards counternarcotics programs in Mexico and Central America to fight narcotics and criminal gangs.
Additionally, the bill also includes an amendment authored by Congressman Cuellar which prohibits agencies funded by the State-Foreign Appropriations Bill from booking first-class travel for their employees, unless certain exemptions apply under law.
“This sets an important standard in these hard economic times,” said Congressman Cuellar. “While we applaud our agencies for the good work they do, we have to spend American taxpayer dollars responsibly.”
