By USDR
Today, U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady joined Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Mo Brooks (R-AL) in calling to reserve billions of dollars seized from Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and other drug lords to pay for increased border security, including a border wall. After signing on as an original co-sponsor of H.R. 2186, the Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order (EL CHAPO) Act, Congressman Brady issued the following statement:
For decades, drug lords like El Chapo have spread addiction and violence, destroying countless lives in the process. The EL CHAPO Act is a creative and direct solution that will help secure the border while providing a fiscally responsible way of fulfilling one of President Trump’s key promises to the American people. I am proud to be working with Senator Cruz and Representative Brooks on this important legislation, and I look forward to helping it pass the House.
BACKGROUND: The EL CHAPO Act is identical to Texas Senator Ted Cruz’s bill of the same name. It reserves any amounts forfeited to the federal government as a result of criminal prosecution of drug lords for border security assets and the completion of the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán is the notorious former leader of the Sinoloa drug cartel and the U.S. is currently seeking criminal forfeiture of over $14 billion in illicit profits from. Extradited to the U.S. in January, El Chapo now awaits criminal proceedings.
ORIGINAL BILL CO-SPONSORS INCLUDE:
Rep. Kevin Brady (TX-08)
Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01)
Rep. Tom Garrett (VA-05)
Rep. Steve King (IA-04)