Congressman Tony Gonzales Offers Amendments on Border Security

I offered three amendments on Friday during the House Homeland Security Appropriations Full Committee Markup. The proposed amendments aimed to increase border security funding for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), plus up funding for the Operation Stonegarden grant program, and prohibit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from engaging in transactions with certain Chinese military companies.

My district spans more than 40 percent of the southern border, including the El Paso, Del Rio, and Big Bend Sectors of the Border Patrol. In Congress, we have a responsibility to equip law enforcement at the border with the technology and infrastructure that is needed to support their mission. This starts with proper funding for Customs officers, Border Patrol agents and local law enforcement so they can keep our communities safe. Furthermore, it is critical the United States continue to counter national security threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)  I am proud that my amendment to prohibit DHS from engaging in transactions with Chinese military companies was included in the FY23 Homeland appropriations bill.

The three amendments are detailed below: 

1. Provision in the Manager’s Amendment Against Chinese Military Companies: Prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from entering into agreements with or procuring equipment from Chinese military companies. 
2. Amendment to Increase Border Security Funding: Increases the “Procurement, Construction, and Improvements” (PC&I) account for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to FY22 levels, which were higher overall for this category. The P,C & I account funds essential border security technology, drones, and the renovation of Border Patrol stations, many of which are run down and in desperate need of modernization.
3. Amendment to Increase the Operation Stonegarden Grant Program: Increases funding for Operation Stonegarden by $30M, to bring program funding to a total of $120M. This grant program allows local law enforcement to partner with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to counter drug and human trafficking at the border. Since FY19, funding has remained level at $90M, despite record levels of smuggling activity at the southern border.