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“First and most importantly, I’d like to express my sympathies to the Hartley family.

 

I spoke to the Hartley family this morning to express my deepest regards and to inform them of my efforts in the search for David Hartley.

 

As Chairman of the US House Committee of Homeland Security Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism Subcommittee, I have reached out to all the federal agencies involved- Customs and Border Patrol, CBP Office of Air & Marine, the Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security and the State Department. And I’ve been speaking to the local sheriff’s office.

 

Our Federal agents always do an admirable job, but more must be done, questions must be answered and David Hartley must be found.  

 

Unfortunately, because the incident occurred in Mexican waters, the United States does not have jurisdictional authority; however we can and must continue to urge our Mexican counterparts to search for David Hartley. The U.S. Consulate General has requested authorization for U.S. law enforcement to assist in the search, but we are still awaiting the Mexican response. I have contacted the Mexican Embassy and urged them to move the case quickly.

 

As a lifelong Laredoan, border security is an issue that I have been working on for decades and that I take to heart on a very personal level. Two years ago, I authored legislation to require a mission analysis for search and rescue operations, migrant interdiction operations, and drug interdiction operations on the Rio Grande River-to determine the manpower and equipment the Coast Guard requires to be prepared to respond to just these types of incidents. In fact, the Coast Guard Reauthorization bill passed both chambers and will be signed by the White House this week.  

 

The safety and security of our Texas communities are always my first priority. I am urging all federal government agencies involved and the Mexican government to find David Hartley and cooperate with state and local officials.”