Texas Congresswoman backing border security bill in U.S. House

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — U.S. Congresswoman Mayra Flores (TX-34) is joining three colleagues in backing legislation that would bring new tools that she says will help strengthen border security.

The bill would help establish Joint Operation Centers along the southern border to serve as centralized operating hubs tasked with coordinating border operations, information sharing, and workforce training.

“I came to Congress promising to solve problems confronting our district and this is exactly what my first bill delivers. I’m proud this bill is being introduced and lauded by Members on both sides of the aisle, as a more secure border means safer and more prosperous communities across this land,” said Congresswoman Flores. “It is evident, from what we are witnessing at our southern border, that the only group benefiting from this self-inflicted chaos are criminals, drug and human traffickers, and the cartels. Our bill will put an end to this by bettering our law enforcement coordination and their ability to counter these dangerous groups. I thank my colleagues for joining me in this bipartisan and bicameral effort.”

The Advanced Border Coordination Act would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to set up at least two joint operations centers along the southern border. The hubs would help law enforcement from multiple federal, state, local and tribal agencies coordinate their efforts and better work together.

Another avenue for the hubs to concentrate on is intelligence, which could help stop drug smuggling and human trafficking.

Flores says the month of June saw 207,416 reported illegal border crossings, which included six people on a terrorist watch list. She also points out the 53 migrants who were found dead in San Antonio on June 27 while packed into the back of a suffocating tractor-trailer without air conditioning.

Flores is joined by U.S. Representatives Dave Joyce (OH-14), Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03), and Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) in backing the bi-partisan bill.

A similar bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Cortez Masto (D-NV) earlier this year.