Committee Passes Bipartisan Suozzi Legislation to Protect the Southern Border by Extending Joint Task Forces at the Department of Homeland Security

 Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Tom Suozzi's (D-NY03) bipartisan legislation to protect the southern border and reauthorize the Joint Task Forces of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) passed by unanimous vote in the House Committee on Homeland Security. The bipartisan bill, H.R. 9460, reauthorizes DHS to establish joint operations using DHS personnel and resources to secure U.S. land and maritime borders, address homeland security threats, and establish regional operations to tackle ongoing homeland security challenges like drug smuggling and trafficking. The legislation, co-led by Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), now advances out of Committee and to the House floor.

“I thank my colleague, Representative Suozzi, for working with me on this important legislation,” said Rep. Clay Higgins. 

Speaking at the Committee on Homeland Security's markup in favor of the bill, Suozzi said, "I am pleased to help lead the bipartisan DHS Joint Task Force Reauthorization Act of 2024 with my colleague, Representative Clay Higgins (R-LA). This is a bipartisan, common sense bill that first and foremost is focused on securing America's borders – specifically securing the southern border's maritime routes."

"We need to secure our southern border, first and foremost," stressed Suozzi.

"The Task Force helps coordinate our response to complex threats, including the trafficking and smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people in the Caribbean. Joint Task Force East brings together not only DHS partners to counter these threats but also international partners and the Department of Defense," Suozzi explained.

For these operations to continue, the full Congress must reauthorize the Joint Task Force authority. The bill also enhances the accountability and transparency of DHS by requiring each Joint Task Force to establish a staffing plan and share this information with Congress.

"Congress should have the information to assess whether the staffing and resources provided to Joint Task Forces are sufficient," Suozzi said. "Transparency in DHS operations is not just a matter of good governance, but it also ensures that the public and Congress are fully informed and involved in matters of national security."

 "We need to allow DHS to continue to conduct these critical joint operations and support the frontline men and women working to protect us. This bill helps us do that, concluded Suozzi.

Congressman Suozzi’s remarks at today’s hearing can be seen here.