LIEBERMAN STATEMENT ON OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PLAN TO FIGHT DRUG CARTELS

“I am heartened that the violent drug wars in Mexico have captured the full attention of the Obama Administration and I strongly support the Administration’s plan to strengthen our law enforcement and investigatory presence at the border. I plan to ask Secretary Napolitano and Justice and State Department witnesses for additional details at a HSGAC hearing tomorrow. For example, I would like to know how the Administration plans to increase coordination between federal state and local officials along the border; how the State Department plans to expedite the expenditure of money appropriated through the Merida initiative; and whether the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security need additional authority to track laundered drug money or crack down on the illegal purchase and exportation of high-caliber firearms.”