WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has penned an op-ed for The Washington Post highlighting his El Chapo Act.
The bill the Texas Republican introduced would reserve any amounts forfeited to the U.S. government as a result of the criminal prosecution of Mexican drug lord Joaquín Archivaldo Guzmán Loera (aka “El Chapo”) and other drug kingpins for border security assets and the completion of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The notorious Mexican drug lord was convicted of drug-trafficking charges, Tuesday, Feb. 12 2019, in federal court in New York. He awaits sentencing.
In his op-ed, Sen. Cruz urges his Democratic colleagues to support “common-sense” legislation in order to fulfill a promise President Trump made to the American people: to secure the border.
“Everyone should support taking money from murderers, drug smugglers and human traffickers such as El Chapo and using it to prevent murder, drug smuggling and human trafficking — all without costing the American taxpayers one dime, or adding anything to the federal budget. That’s what the EL CHAPO Act would do,” Cruz wrote.
“People across the United States are desperate for a sign that Washington is ready and willing to protect them from dangerous criminals and porous borders. And taxpayers of every political background appreciate the increasingly rare occasions when Congress is fiscally responsible. The EL CHAPO Act satisfies all of these reasonable concerns.”
Cruz said Congress has two clear mandates from the American people: secure the border and save money. “So let’s build a wall, and make El Chapo pay for it.”
Editor’s Note: The main image accompanying the above news clip shows drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman being made to face the media in Mexico City as he is escorted by Mexican soldiers following his recapture six months after escaping from a maximum security prison. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo, File)
Editor’s Note: Click here to read the El Chapo Act.
Editor’s Note: Click here to read Sen. Cruz’s op-ed in The Washington Post.
