Eradicate Tactical Cover for Illegals along Rio Grande (Rep. Mike Conaway)

In July, I introduced an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill to aid the border patrol in interdicting illegal immigrants trying to enter the U.S. illegally. The amendment would provide the border patrol with $5 million dollars to create a pilot program to eradicate the tactical cover that runs along the banks of the Rio Grande River on the Texas-Mexico border. Agents have expressed problems with people using the tall weeds along the river as cover while attempting to sneak across the border. This amendment was included in the omnibus appropriations bill that passed through the House this before recess.

By creating a pilot program for the Border Patrol to use to eradicate invasive species of weeds, our agents will be safer and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) and cameras will be more effective in stemming the tide of illegal immigrants crossing our border. This amendment also brings up the issue of conservation. The weeds along the river use up to 200 gallons of water every day. If the weeds were removed, the Rio Grande would be stronger and harder to cross.

While I am glad that this important amendment was included in the Omnibus appropriations bill, I am disappointed that my Democrat colleagues chose to roll eleven spending bills into one giant spending bill. Although the House Majority was eventually able to meet the President’s spending limit, and finally included a combined $71 billion to fund our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, I still feel like there are significant problems with this massive piece of legislation.