ROGERS: HOMELAND DEFENSE IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR NATIONAL SECURITY

WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Lead Republican of the House Armed Services Committee, delivered opening remarks at a hearing on U.S. national security challenges and force posture in the NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM areas of operation and related policy.

In his opening remarks Rogers touched on the problems facing NORTHCOM at the southern border.

A portion of Lead Republican Rogers’ remarks are below: 

“HOMELAND DEFENSE IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.

“A STRONG HOMELAND DEFENSE ENABLES US TO PROJECT POWER AROUND THE GLOBE.

“We rely on NORTHCOM for everything from ballistic missile defense to stopping the illegal trafficking of drugs and migrants across our borders.

“But its mission is becoming increasingly difficult._

“Our adversaries are enhancing their ability to strike our homeland with ballistic missiles and now threaten us with hypersonics. _

“NON-STATE ACTORS TRAFFICKING NARCOTICS AND HUMAN BEINGS ACROSS THE BORDER CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM. _

“IN FISCAL YEAR 2021, CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION ENCOUNTERED MORE THAN 1.6 MILLION INADMISSIBLE INDIVIDUALS AT THE SOUTHWEST LAND BORDER. THAT IS THE MOST EVER ENCOUNTERED. _

“LAST YEAR, BORDER SEIZURES OF COCAINE GREW BY 68 PERCENT AND SEIZURES OF FENTANYL INCREASED BY 134 PERCENT. _

“CBP IS OVERWHELMED._

“IT MUST RELY ON SUPPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND NORTHCOM JUST TO PERFORM ITS BASIC MISSION.” _