Stopping the violence across the border must become a priority for Mexico and the United States, congressman Filemon Vela said.

The streets of Tamaulipas became battlefields this week. Shootouts between gangs and drug cartels have both sides of the border worried.

“Policymakers in Washington are missing the boat when it comes to border security and violence,” Congressman Filemon Vela said.

Vela's district includes all of Cameron County and parts of Hidalgo County.

“We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this anymore. We've got to do something about it because if we don't, it can only get worse,” Vela said.

Vela believes both countries need to work together to stop the violence.

“We need Mexico City and Washington D.C. to have the political will to do something about violence in the Tamaulipas region,” Vela said.

Congressman Henry Cuellar shares the sentiment.

“The U.S. is ready to help Mexico in whatever way, but Mexico is a very proud country. They emphasize a lot the concept of sovereignty,” Cuellar said.

“I told President (Felipe) Calderon and President Enrique Pena Nieto … the United States will help Mexico as far as they want us to help them,” Cuellar said.

Cuellar said he recently traveled to Mexico City to meet with government officials. He was told more federal police would be sent to Tamaulipas.

“We have to be concerned about what happens in Mexico. That potential for spillover is always something that we have to be very concerned about,” Cuellar said.

Spillover violence also is on the mind of Congressman Michael McCaul.

“I can't imagine that, you know, some of that violence is not coming across the border into the border communities. Every time I've gone down there and talked to the sheriffs, it seems pretty clear that there is a spillover effect,” McCaul said.

McCaul is pushing for more money and resources for border security. He believes the real solution is disrupting the cartels.

“Any coordination we can have with Mexico, in terms of going against these violent drug cartels, makes not only the United States border towns safer, but also Mexico,” McCaul said.

McCaul said they can't control what is happening in Mexico, but they can try to stop it from coming here.

http://www.krgv.com/news/local-news/congressmen-urge-action-on-border-security/31141538