Florida Rep. Mike Waltz (R) has teamed up with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to reintroduce legislation cracking down on drug and human trafficking. The Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act provides several government organizations with the jurisdiction to push back against drug and human traffickers.
Specifically, the legislation would strengthen U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations, and the U.S. Coast Guard at a time when Waltz has vocally supported military use against drug cartels.
According to a press release from Waltz, “under President Biden’s failed agenda of amnesty and open borders, more than 5 million known migrants have illegally crossed the southern border and tons of deadly drugs, like fentanyl, have flooded into U.S. communities and taken more than 100,00 American lives in the last year alone.”
In a statement, Waltz championed the legislation, reiterating that “Biden’s failed border policies also extend out to the sea” and that “over the past few months, we’ve seen an influx of drug and human traffickers up on Florida’s shores.” Because of this, the Florida Republican is urging that federal law enforcement officials must be given “the authorities to more effectively intercept and catch these criminals and keep our communities safe.”
Florida Senator Rick Scott (R) has reintroduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate alongside Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I) and Texas Senator James Lankford (R).
Commenting on the measure, Senator Scott warned that the United States “is experiencing record-high levels of illegal immigration and this needs to stop.” He further signaled that the legislation would make it possible for us to "extend the United States’ customs waters territory to help ensure our Coast Guard and CBP/AMO has the jurisdiction and authority needed to cut down on drug and human trafficking so that families everywhere remain safe."
Scott called on his colleagues to support the bill, maintaining confidence that it would pass.
