Texas Congressional Delegation Urges Reinstatement of Cross-Border Threat Screening Center

Strategic Insights -

Congressman Tony Gonzales has led a bipartisan letter to the Department of Homeland Security, urging the reinstatement of the Cross-Border Threat Screening and Supply Chain Defense (CBTS) Center of Excellence at Texas A&M University. The CBTS Center, which was halted in April by DHS, plays a crucial role in protecting the nation's borders, economy, and supply chains. The delegation expressed particular concern regarding the recent detection of the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, in the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon, just 70 miles from the Texas-Mexico border. By reinstating the center, the delegation believes it can advance detection technologies, train personnel, and identify invasive pest pathways and risk areas, ultimately securing the nation's food supply and economy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Cross-Border Threat Screening and Supply Chain Defense (CBTS) Center of Excellence at Texas A&M University was halted by the Department of Homeland Security in April.
  • The center plays a critical role in protecting the nation's borders, economy, and supply chains, particularly in the face of threats like the New World screwworm.
  • A bipartisan group of Texas U.S. Representatives, led by Congressman Tony Gonzales, has signed a letter to DHS urging the reinstatement of the center.
  • The center's mission space encompasses naturally occurring and man-made biological threats, including the re-emergent New World screwworm.
  • The CBTS Center is ready to equip DHS with research, training, and rapid-response capabilities essential to counter all-hazards border threats.
  • Each DHS Center of Excellence is led by a U.S. college or university in partnership with other academic institutions, industry, national laboratories, and state, local, and tribal agencies.
  • The Centers of Excellence have existed since 2002, mandated by the Homeland Security Act in response to the 9/11 attacks.

Statistics:

  • The New World screwworm has been detected in the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon, just 70 miles from the Texas-Mexico border.
  • The CBTS Center was halted in April by DHS.
  • There are currently 10 DHS Centers of Excellence across the United States.
  • Since 2002, the Centers of Excellence have played a critical role in homeland security research and development.

Sources:

  • A letter to the Department of Homeland Security from Congressman Tony Gonzales, accompanied by a bipartisan group of Texas U.S. Representatives.
  • A statement from Dr. Cliff Lamb, Director, AgriLife Research.
  • The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296).