Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar announced the House passage of critical legislation that authorizes the Department of Homeland Security for Fiscal Year 2008.  Contained in this legislation are several key additions authored by Congressman Cuellar that will create a Border Communities Liaison Officer in the Department’s Policy Office, compel the Department to evaluate and prioritize on-site training in the Southwest for Border Patrol agents, and mandate an assessment to significantly reduce wait times at the border.

The first provision that Congressman Cuellar successfully added to the authorization legislation creates a direct line of communication between local elected officials and business leaders from border communities and high-level policymakers at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C. 

“Before there is policy change regarding border practices, the voice of the community must be heard in Washington.  This is why the creation of a Border Community Liaison in the Homeland Security Department is so important.  Recently, I have been facilitating meetings between local and federal officials to help make this kind of communication an ongoing practice,” said Congressman Cuellar.

Congressman Cuellar’s second addition calls for the evaluation of current training practices and emphasizes the importance of training Border Patrol agents along the Southwest border, where many of them will serve.  This provision helps to better prepare Border Patrol agents to meet the challenges they will face in their careers.

Third, Congressman Cuellar secured inclusion of a mandate to assess what staffing, infrastructure and technology is needed to reduce wait times at the border.  For the first time, this assessment will take a comprehensive look at what resources the Department of Homeland Security needs to markedly reduce wait times at the nation’s borders.  

“It is imperative that we reduce the wait times at our borders and provide the resources needed to be fully operational.  By easing the flow of traffic at the border, we will help to bolster the trade and tourism that is so vital to the economy,” said Congressman Cuellar.

The authorization legislation, which also addresses many broad and important management issues within the Department, will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.  Congressman Cuellar’s provisions aim to find a route to improve the Department of Homeland Security’s operations along the Texas border.

“We must take informed, proactive steps to create a viable and lasting solution to the problems at our nation’s borders.  I have heard from the residents and officials of border communities how crucial these improvements are, and I am proud that I was able to represent their opinions and concerns in Washington, D.C.,” said Congressman Cuellar.


Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Majority Senior Whip.
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