ICYMI: Reps. Ashley Hinson and Tony Gonzales Discuss Border Crisis Solutions, Bolstering Border Patrol Mental Health

Washington, D.C. - As part of her virtual conversation series, "On the Record," Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) and Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) discussed the ongoing crisis at our Southern Border, common sense solutions to keep our country safe, as well as the need to bolster mental health resources for Border Patrol. Hinson is a co-sponsor of Gonzales's bipartisan Taking Action to Prevent Suicide (TAPS) Act, legislation that creates a comprehensive, anti-suicide task force to assess the underlying factors leading to high suicide rates at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). 

Watch the Full Conversation

"You and I haven't stopped and just pointed fingers, we've looked for solutions that everyone can agree on," said Rep. Gonzales during the conversation. "Last year there were 14 Customers and Border Patrol agents that committed suicide. This is a historic number...The TAPS Act creates a task force that creates a spot check on DHS." 

"Tony was gracious enough to invite us down to experience what border communities are experiencing every single day with that massive influx. We met with sheriffs and law enforcement and heard directly form them about how this is straining their resources at the local level," said Rep. Hinson during the conversation. "Why does it matter for a state like Iowa? It's because the drugs are coming across the Southern Border. We have a number of solutions that we've consistently talked about when it comes to securing our Southern Border." 
 

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