Houston Daily

Today, Congressman Dan Crenshaw from Texas was appointed by Speaker Mike Johnson and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford to lead a new Cartel Task Force within the committee. The task force is part of a strategy by House Republicans to address the threat posed by violent Mexican drug cartels and transnational criminal networks to U.S. national security.

The task force will work in coordination with key House committees, Senate partners, and the Trump Administration. Its goal is to identify the necessary tools and authorities to empower U.S. agencies and allies in their efforts against the cartels. The task force is anticipated to propose legislative recommendations.

Congressman Crenshaw expressed, "I’m honored to be entrusted by Speaker Johnson and Chairman Crawford to lead this critical effort to defeat the Mexican cartels.” His task force has been conducting research over the past two years on combating this threat, and with "President Trump back in the White House, now is the time to act.”

Speaker Johnson remarked on the creation of the task force, saying, "I’m glad to see Chairman Crawford build on Republicans’ promise to secure the border by establishing a new Cartel Task Force, led by Congressman Dan Crenshaw.” He criticized previous management of the southern border and praised President Trump's efforts to regain control, stating that the responsibility now falls upon Congress to continue this work.

Chairman Crawford commented on the emboldened cartels, saying, “After decades of ineffective or incomplete responses, the cartels and other transnational criminal organizations have become emboldened by the gray space in which they were permitted to operate.” He underscored the threat these organizations pose as a national security concern and the need to assist regional partners.

The task force aims to collaborate with Senate colleagues and the Trump administration to support efforts against the cartel threat.