04.06.15

Hoeven to Review Southern Border Operations

Senator to Meet with ND National Guard Aviators Deployed to Texas

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.), chair of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will conduct a four-day review of security operations on the southern border in Houston, McAllen and Laredo, Texas this week to assess the needs and challenges of agents working to control the border. Ranking committee member Jean Shaheen (D-N.H.) will also participate in the mission.

The DHS Appropriations Committee oversees a $40 billion discretionary budget, and the senators are gathering information on the ground to help them make critical decisions about funding the department’s important national security agencies.

While in Laredo, Hoeven plans to meet with a unit of 35 North Dakota Army National Guard members who were deployed to the southwest border in January to support DHS aerial operations. NDANG’s First Battalion 112th Aviation Regimen, based out of Bismarck, has been stationed in Laredo through June to fly day and night helicopter reconnaissance missions.

“With all the turmoil in the world today, protecting our borders has never been more important,” Hoeven said. “Whether we’re considering national security, homeland security, immigration, or trade interests, maintaining a strong border must be a priority.”

Hoeven and Shaheen will be visiting sites to review operations by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Coast Guard, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and other vital border security activities.

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