It is an honor to serve as Chairman of the House Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, which is tasked with protecting the national security of the United States. I am excited to share that we conducted our first hearing this week to focus on the border crisis and how we can better support agents patrolling the border from both Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICE).

At this hearing, we identified the force multipliers, which are tools at the disposal of CBP, that are most effective in combatting the dangerous threats posed by transnational criminal organizations, such as Mexican Cartels at the Southern border. By knowing the resources most utilized by Border Patrol, Congress can work to direct more of these critical resources to sectors of the border that need addition assistance.

Agency officials confirmed what Border Patrol agents have told me during my trips to the Southern border — canine units are a vital resource for Border Patrol in catching deadly drugs and individuals attempting to cross the border illegally. During the hearing, CBP agents showcased the efficiency of canines by having Vili, pictured below, detect a pouch with a small amount of fentanyl hidden within the hearing room. Vili found the drugs in a matter of seconds.

Vili detecting the fentanyl within a sealed metal container inside the USPS box

In 2021, the most recent year for which we have data, more than 100,000 Americans died due to drug overdose — an all-time record — with fentanyl responsible for almost 70 percent of those deaths. Until we address this crisis, American lives are at risk.

I opened Wednesday’s hearing by stressing the critical role canines and other force multipliers play in assisting Border Patrol to catch drug traffickers and stop other criminal activity performed by the Cartels. I stand eager and willing to work with the Biden Administration to provide additional resources, like canines, to Border Patrol to help put an end to this devastating humanitarian crisis that has gone on for far too long.

Click the image above to watch Chairman Grothman's opening statement

As a member of the House Budget Committee, I am working to hold the Biden Administration accountable, root out wasteful spending, and find real solutions to failed economic policies that have been devastating for millions of hard-working Americans. With that in mind, here are 8 provisions tucked into the President's budget that you need to be aware of:

• Cuts $600 million from the Department of Homeland Security, while there is a raging crisis at the Southern border. 
• Burdens more than a million small businesses with higher taxes, all while small business owners expect worsening business conditions.
• Requests nearly $5 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency to address the "climate crisis".
• Provides the Department of Health and Human Services with over $500 million to fund abortion services through Title X Family Planning.
• Contains $100 million to promote "racial and socioeconomic diversity" in schools through the Department of Education.
• Calls for $3 billion for the State Department to advance "gender equity and equality".
• Proposes over $3 billion for the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development to more than quadruple "international climate finance".
• Requests $2 billion for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to “increase regulation of the firearms industry".

Thank you to the Plexus Corporation of Neenah for coming to DC to showcase your cutting-edge night vision goggles that are developed in the Sixth District. With this new technology, we can significantly enhance our military intelligence, Border Patrol surveillance, and strengthen our national security.

I was happy to meet with Wisconsin members of the Sons of Amvets this week about supporting our nation’s veterans.

I am grateful for the efforts of the Cascade Lion’s Club to better our communities in the Sixth District. Thank you for having me at your Soup-A-Rama in Sheboygan County!

Last week, I spoke at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Evan Bahr of Mequon. Congratulations on this incredible achievement!

I had a fantastic time at the Wisconsin Herd basketball game in Oshkosh! Keep making Wisconsin proud, and go Herd!