In the United States, border security includes the protection of ports, airports, and the country’s 3,017-mile (4,855 km) land border with Canada and 1,933-mile (3,111 km) border with Mexico. The U.S. concept of border security is deeply entwined with the persistent actual or perceived threat of terrorism, as well as more universal concerns such as immigration control, smuggling, and human trafficking. As such, the U.S. federal government is constantly reevaluating and adjusting its border security policies to reflect the perceived threats posed to the United States.

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The Border Security category has related posts on government agencies and departments and  committees and their Chairs.

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries.

Its stated missions involve anti-terrorism, border security, immigration and customs, cyber security, and disaster prevention and management.

Mission:  
The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) is the Senate’s primary oversight committee with broad jurisdiction over government operations generally and the Department of Homeland Security in particular.

House counterparts: Committee on Homeland Security and Committee on Oversight and Reform

Democratic Members (Minority):
Gary Peters, Michigan – Ranking member
Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire
Jacky Rosen, Nevada
Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut
Andy Kim, New Jersey
Ruben Gallego, Arizona
Elissa Slotkin , Michigan
John Fetterman, Pennsylvania

Republican Members (Majority):
Rand Paul, Kentucky
Ron Johnson, Wisconsin
James Lankford, Oklahoma
Bernie Moreno, Ohio
Rick Scott, Florida
Josh Hawley, Missouri
Joni Ernst, Iowa
Tim Scott, South Carolina

Current Position: US Senator since 2015
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Positions: US Representative from 2009 – 2015; Commissioner of the Michigan Lottery from 2003 – 2007; State Senator from 1995 – 2002
Other Positions:  Chair, Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee;
Chair, Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight and Ports

Before his election to Congress, Peters served in the United States Navy Reserve, spent 22 years as an investment advisor, and worked briefly in academia.  He was appointed commissioner of the Michigan Lottery by Governor Jennifer Granholm, serving from 2003 to 2008, when he resigned to successfully run for Congress.

On January 28, 2021, Peters was selected as chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for the 2022 election cycle. He was later selected again for the 2024 cycle.

Featured Quote: 
We must keep working together to pass infrastructure legislation. This is about spurring job creation, strengthening our economy, supporting Michigan businesses and investing to upgrade our roads, bridges and broadband access.

Gary Peters says Americans have suffered due to USPS service changes

Current Position: US Senator since 2011
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: Opthamalogist from 1983 – 2011
Other Positions:  Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship (Ranking Member)

Rand Paul is a son of former three-time presidential candidate and 12-term U.S. representative from Texas, Ron Paul. Paul describes himself as a constitutional conservative and supporter of the Tea Party movement. Paul was a practicing ophthalmologist in Bowling Green, Kentucky, from 1993 until his election to the Senate in 2010.

Featured Quote: 
4 million dead and Dr. Fauci still believes we should continue funding of the Wuhan Lab. Extraordinary and unmatched poor judgement that should preclude Dr. Fauci from being anywhere near the reins of power.

‘It’s Time We Reconsider Paving Roads Overseas’: Rand Paul Calls For 10% Reduction In Foreign Aid

Jurisdiction

• Examining the federal rulemaking process including regulatory review, and evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, economic impact, legal authority, and federal role for past and proposed regulations;
• Reviewing federal contracting and procurement, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and the acquisition functions of the General Services Administration and the Office of the Federal Procurement Policy;
• Assessing the management, efficiency, effectiveness, and economy of agencies and departments of the government, including oversight of issues related to energy and national security;
• Examining and assessing the federal workforce and federal employee issues, including employees’ classification, compensation and benefits, and federal benefits and retirement programs;
• Evaluating and addressing the federal government’s roles and responsibilities in America’s economic competitiveness and cooperation with private industry;
• Reviewing and assessing border management and operations;
• Conducting oversight of:
  • United States Postal Service modernization and solvency;
  • United States Census Bureau; and
  • The District of Columbia, excluding appropriations, but including the judicial system.

Majority members:
Kyrsten Sinema, Arizona, Chair
Tom Carper, Delaware
Laphonza Butler, California

Minority members:
James Lankford, Oklahoma, Ranking Member
Ron Johnson, Wisconsin
Mitt Romney, Utah

Source: Government page

Current Position: US Senator since 2015
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: US Representative from 2011 – 2016
Other Positions:  
Ranking Member, Government Operations and Border Management subcommittee – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure – Finance

Lankford was ordained Southern Baptist minister. He was president of the Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center, a youth camp operated by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, from 1996 to 2009.

Featured Quote: 
Last week alone there were 20,000 interdictions on our southern border in the Rio Grande. The border is open & this crisis is growing. Biden needs to stop making excuses, step up & close the border.

Lankford Pushes Back Against Democrats Reckless Tax and Spending

The committee conducts oversight and handles legislation (and resolutions) related to the security of the United States. The committee has authorization and policy oversight responsibilities over the Department of Homeland Security.

Senate counterpart: Senate Committee on Homeland Security 

Subcommittees:

• Border Security and Enforcement
• Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement and Intelligence
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection
• Emergency Management and Technology
• Oversight, Investigations and Accountability
• Transportation and Maritime Security

Chair: Mark Green, Tennessee (R)
Ranking Member: Bennie Thompson, Mississippi (D)

Majority Staff Director: Stephen Siao
Minority Staff Director:  Hope Goins
Meeting Location: H2-176 Ford House Office Building Washington, DC 20515;  (202) 226-8417

Featured Video:  The Cyber Talent Pipeline: Educating a Workforce to Match Today’s Threats – July 29, 2021
Web Links

Current Position: US Representative of TN District 7 since 2019
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: State Senator from 2013 – 2018
District: parts of Middle and West Tennessee. most of the area is rural, more than half of the district’s vote is cast in either Montgomery County (Clarksville) or Williamson County (Franklin, Brentwood).    
Upcoming Election:

Green has chaired the Committee on Homeland Security since 2023. After graduating from West Point, Green was an infantry officer. He then graduated from Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University and became a flight surgeon, serving tours of duty in the War in Afghanistan and Iraq War.

Green became the CEO of a hospital emergency department staffing company.

Featured Quote: 
We cannot allow the American dream to be destroyed by socialism. RT if you agree!

Fighting Tyranny with Rep. Mark Green

Current Position: US Representative of MS 2nd District since 1993
Affiliation: Democrat
Other Positions:  Committee on Homeland Security; Select Committee on the January 6 Attack
District: Western Mississippi. It includes most of Jackson, the riverfront cities of Greenville and Vicksburg and the interior market cities of Clarksdale, Greenwood and Clinton.   
Upcoming Election:

Thompson was a schoolteacher in Madison, Mississippi.[2] He served as an alderman (1969–1973) and then mayor of Bolton (1973–1980) before being elected to the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, on which he served from 1980 to 1993.

He is a founding member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. His legislative platform focuses mainly on homeland security, civil rights, agriculture and rural issues, equal education, and health care reform. In 1975, he became one of the original plaintiffs in the Ayers Case, which concerned the adequate funding of predominantly black educational institutes in Mississippi.

Featured Quote: 
Today, the bipartisan @January6thCmte will begin its work investigating the #January6th attack on the Capitol by hearing powerful testimony from the brave law enforcement heroes who defended the Capitol that day.

Rep. Bennie Thompson’s full opening statement in House investigation of Jan. 6

The Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement is a subcommittee within the House Homeland Security Committee. The Subcommittee focuses on: border and port security in the northern and southern land, air, and maritime domains; international aspects of border security; DHS policies and operations facilitating lawful trade and travel; CBP staffing and resource allocations at and between air, land, and sea ports of entry; and ICE and USCIS border security activities. Subcommittee maintains oversight of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Also see the House Judiciary’s Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement

Republican Members (Majority)
Chair: Clay Higgins, Louisiana
Michael Guest, Mississippi
Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia
Tony Gonzales, Texas
Morgan Luttrell, Texas
Josh Brecheen, Oklahoma

Democratic Members (Minority)
Ranking Member: Lou Correa, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
Robert Garcia, California
Delia Ramirez, Illinois
Tom Suozzi, New York

Current Position: US Representative of LA District 3 since 2017
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: US Army from 1979 – 1985
Other Positions:   Subcommittee on Border Security
District:  southwestern and south central portion of the state, ranging from the Texas border to the Atchafalaya River. 
Upcoming Election:

At age 18, Higgins enlisted in the Military Police Corps of the Louisiana National Guard, serving for six years (1979–85) and reaching the rank of staff sergeant. He worked for several years as a manager of car dealerships.

Featured Quote: 
I support individual freedoms, and I certainly stand against oppression. Neither government nor private employers have the right to mandate medical procedures. We’re drawing the line here.

WAR ON COPS: Congressman Clay Higgins Speaks Out

Current Position: US Representative of CA District 46 since 2017
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Positions: State Senator from 2006 – 2014; Orange County Board of Supervisors from 2004 – 2006; State Delegate from 1998 – 2004
Other positions: Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, & Accountability
District:  Based in Orange County and includes the communities of Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Stanton, as well as parts of Orange and Fullerton.
Upcoming Election:

Quotes: 
Ds & Rs are working together to pass the #EqualAct & reform drug sentencing laws. We must eliminate policies that have disproportionate effects on different groups. Our decades-long war on drugs must turn to treatment and cure, as opposed to incarceration.

Rep. Lou Correa’s full questioning of Corey Lewandowski | Lewandowski hearing