As a lifelong resident of the U.S. border with Mexico, I know quite well the economic and security challenges that have become a part of the everyday lives of my constituents. Since I arrived in Washington to serve in Congress, I have committed myself to improving the lives of Americans living on the border. One thing I have learned is that improvements in border conditions cannot take place in a vacuum. If we are to make any progress, we must work together with our Mexican counterparts.

My first priority is and always has been providing local, state, and federal law enforcement officials with the resources they need – last year alone I helped secured five million dollars in additional funding for Texas border sheriffs. For fiscal year 2007, I am supporting a continuing resolution that will allocate $542 million for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), an increase of $70 million and $520 million for Byrne Justice Assistance Formula Grants, an increase of $109 million. Law enforcement has always been incredibly important to me as I have three brothers that are peace officers.

However, I believe we must also use U.S. foreign aid to help curb border violence. That is why I introduced the Prosperous and Secure Neighbor Alliance (PSNA) Act of 2007 with Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes earlier this month. This bill, which is also supported by all Texas border Congressmen, would increase foreign assistance to Mexico to improve security and promote economic development. Increased aid is crucial in curbing the drug trade and drug-related violence in both Mexico and the U.S. I am shocked that Colombia received $561 million and Peru received $146 million in 2006 while Mexico – our southern neighbor and second largest trading partner– only received $69 million. Funds for the PSNA Act would be secured by reprogramming existing funds that are currently used for foreign aid, and would not impact other federal programs. Foreign aid must be reallocated if we are to enhance security at home and in neighboring Mexico.

Mexico’s newly inaugurated President, Felipe Calderón, has pledged to make the reduction of drugs and violence a priority. He recently reinforced this pledge by unconditionally extraditing several high level drug cartel members to the United States.  Congress should take a similar leadership role by supporting President Calderón’s efforts to promote a safer and more prosperous Mexico. These actions will help improve the safety of everyone that lives along the U.S. – Mexico border.

The PSNA Act would provide Mexico with funding for the next five years to professionalize the Mexican police force, upgrade technology used in the Drug War, strengthen the judicial branch, train prosecutors and judges, establish anti-corruption programs and promote economic and social development. Veteran U.S. police, judges, prosecutors, and economic development officials would be sent to Mexico to assist them in meeting these goals. The legislation will also call attention to the impact that the demand for illicit drugs in the United States has on violence in Mexico and along the U.S. – Mexico border by requiring the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit a report to Congress detailing the most effective strategies for reducing the demand for illegal drugs in the U.S.

To address concerns that the funds could be misspent, I specifically included several provisions in this bill to ensure that the foreign assistance provided to Mexico is done so transparently and with significant accountability. If this is not done, the U.S. President and/or the U.S. Congress would be authorized to discontinue funding.

As Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness & Response (first responders), I’ll continue to support increased assistance to law enforcement agencies along the U.S. – Mexico border. However, I strongly believe that multinational problems like the drug war require multinational solutions. The PSNA Act would promote a strengthened U.S. – Mexico partnership while improving the lives of Americans living along the border who have suffered for far too long.