[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 99 (Monday, June 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ANTI-BORDER CORRUPTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT (H.R. 2213)

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 12, 2017

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Anti-
Border Corruption Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2213).
  The current polygraph requirement was mandated as part of the Anti-
Border Corruption Act of 2010 to identify agents who could be 
corruptible or working with drug traffickers. This bill weakens 
critical polygraph requirements for U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
(CBP) agents.
  Given CBP's scope of work with organized crime, drug cartels, and 
corruption, waiving the polygraph requirements would potentially expose 
the agency to corrupt law enforcement who would use their positions for 
personal gain.
  It is Congress' duty to ensure that CBP is using the most stringent 
practices when hiring agents. Other federal agencies such as FBI, DEA, 
ATF, and Secret Service do not exempt polygraph requirements, why 
should CBP be the exception?
  I voted yes on the Lujan Grisham amendment to the Anti-Border 
Corruption Reauthorization Act. This amendment would have ensured that 
safety measures were in place to safeguard national security, and 
protect the integrity of the CBP and its officers.
  After the failure of this amendment, it became clear that I cannot 
support this bill.

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