Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R) is leading a task force to combat Mexican drug cartels, as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R) tapped the Texas Republican to lead the Congressional task force.
Earlier this year, Rep. Crenshaw and Florida Rep. Mike Waltz (R) introduced legislation that would allow the military to be used against Mexican drug cartels. The bill has gained support from presidential candidates, most notable President Donald Trump (R).
In response to the appointment, Crenshaw said that he was proud to be heading a "task force specifically focused on neutralizing the Mexican drug cartels.”
Crenshaw warned that “the cartels have operational control over our southern border, facilitate and take advantage of our immigration crisis, and are killing tens of thousands of Americans every year with fentanyl."
"Until now, Congress has not taken this threat seriously nor have we shown the American people that we have a plan to deal with these transnational criminal organizations," Crenshaw shared. However, given the Congressional task force, the goal is now to "rectify that by fully investigating cartel activity, producing policy recommendations, educating the American public, and bringing legislation to the House floor to wholistically target the drug cartels so they can no longer threaten our safety and sovereignty."
"I applaud Speaker McCarthy for recognizing the severity of this issue and thank him for the opportunity to lead this task force," he concluded.
The task force will work in coordination with relevant jurisdictional committees in order to develop legislative solutions that will generate a consensus in the Republican Conference and move through regular order to be passed on the House floor.
The task force will also include Congressional members from across the country, which includes Waltz, Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R), and Texas Reps. Chip Roy (R), August Pfuger (R), and Brian Babin (R).
