Yesterday, July 24, Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) introduced H.R. 3990, the Operation Stonegarden Authorization Act.This legislation would reauthorize the Operation Stonegarden grant program within the Department of Homeland Security. This program provides grant funding to local law enforcement agencies involved in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations and can be used for equipment or personnel needs or other appropriate activities to support the CBP mission. H.R. 3990 is part of the American Security Agenda set by the Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Mike Rogers (R-AL)..
Congressman Guest believes that the bill would support the law enforcement community and could help curb the transportation of illegal drugs across the southern border. “Our law enforcement agents risk their lives to keep our communities safe. As a nation, it’s imperative that we provide the men and women of law enforcement with the proper equipment to perform their duties. Operation Stonegarden will provide necessary resources to agencies tasked with protecting the borders of the United States. In 2017, 91 percent of heroin, 93 percent of the cocaine, and up to 97 percent of methamphetamine were manufactured in South American countries. I believe these resources could be used to help keep these illicit narcotics out of our communities by providing additional resources for border patrol law enforcement agencies,” Guest said.
Ranking Member Rogers expressed his support for the legislation. “Operation Stonegarden recognizes the efforts of partner law enforcement agencies to secure our borders by providing them with critical grant funding,” Rogers said. “Formally authorizing the program will bolster the local, state, and federal entities that serve as a force multiplier to the men and women on the front lines of the border. I appreciate Rep. Guest’s efforts that will help keep America safe and secure.”
In FY2018, Mississippi law enforcement agencies received $308,471 from Operation Stonegarden grants.
For the full text of the bill click here.
Congressman Michael Guest Press Release
7/26/2019
Sarah Ulmer
