October 19,2015
The Honorable Paul Ryan
Chairman
Committee on WaysandMeans
1102
Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Sander Levin
Ranking Member
Committee on WaysandMeans
1106
Longworth HOB
Washington,DC 20515
Dear Chairman Ryan and Ranking Member Levin:
The Federal Law Enforcement Officers
Association (FLEOA) is the largest non-partisan, non-profit association representing federal law
enforcement officers from across the federal spectrum including within U.S.Customs and Border Protection (CBP). At a time
when security of our borders is
a top issue andwe are dealing with
a wave of alleged refugees from the MiddleEast,the Senateprovision withinH.R. 22 the Senate-approved Highway bill that strips $400Million from CBP
is dangerous.
The$400 million being diverted comes from user fees and is meant to ensure our CBP
officers
have a non-governmental funding stream to support their mission. Cutting these funds would severely underminetheCBP mission
of Protecting the
Homeland and Securing our Borders to
potential threats to
our National Security.
CBP collects these user fees by statue in order to recover certain costs incurred for maintaining Border Security at all ports of entry; Air,
Land, Sea, and Rail Carriers. The fees provide CBP
additional funds to hire and train its officers to ensure they are properly staffed and have an expertise with interdicting individuals traveling to the United States that may pose a
national security threat, conducting fraud
or smuggling drugs
or terrorists.
Stripping these funds would further undermine CBP staffing levels which are already inadequate throughout the United States. Our nation needsto ensure our border security is
a toppriority in order to protectthe citizens of this great country. They deserve nothing less.
As the Chairman
and Ranking Member of the
House Ways and Means Committee we would ask you to hold the line on border security funding and
not allow these funds to be
used elsewhere. FLEOA urges you to reject any diversion
of the $400 Million from CBP and to choose American security over pothole repair.
Respectfully yours,
Larry J.Cosme
FLEOA Executive Vice President