Homeland Security

Since 1948, Israel has been an important ally of the United States. Unfortunately, Israel has also endured a great deal of conflict with those who seek its destruction in the Middle East. Last weekend marked the 55th anniversary of Yom Yerushalayim, or Jersusalem Day, a celebration of the liberation of the city of Jerusalem from the forces of six of Israel's aggressing neighbors during the Six Day War in 1967.

On September 11, 2001, the United States of America was changed forever. The world watched and held its breath as terrorists attacked our nation. In New York City, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon, Americans lost their lives at the hands of ruthlessness. While we commemorate that terrible day annually, it is receiving special attention this year, on its twentieth anniversary.

The scenes from Afghanistan over the past week have been harrowing. As the Biden Administration quickly approached their expedited deadline to withdraw the final U.S. troops from the country, Taliban forces took over regional capitals and major cities as regular Afghan soldiers fled their posts or surrendered. On Sunday the Taliban overtook Kabul, the capital, as former President Ashraf Ghani fled the country and handed over power. While this collapse is a disaster, we must remember why the U.S.

Our nation's law enforcement officers work every day to keep our communities safe. We owe it to these brave individuals to provide them with the resources necessary to do their jobs both safely and securely across America. I stand with our law enforcement officers and thank them for putting their lives on the line. Yet despite their service, there are still calls to "defund the police," which would leave our communities less safe and drive economic opportunity away from areas that need it most.

From the advent of our republic, through the American revolution until now, Americans have joined together to defend our borders and our freedoms, and to help each other in times of greatest need. While most Americans now most closely associate military service with active duty troops in our Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, the nearly half-million men and women who comprise the National Guard across the fifty states and several U.S. territories stand always ready to be called up to provide national defense or meet any disaster occurring within our borders.

The crisis on our southern border is at the front of many Americans minds. Too often we hear of dangerous cartels, and violence spilling into the United States. Because I wanted to see the urgency of this situation myself, last week I traveled with House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Mike Rogers and three other colleagues to McAllen, Texas, on the United States-Mexico border. I was very impressed by the diligence of our Border Patrol and the work they do to protect our national security. However, the trip also highlighted the serious challenges we face.