Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas) has fought to protect America from the battlefield to the halls of Congress, and the freshman lawmaker has recently introduced or supported a number of immigration and border security reforms.
Luttrell, a former Navy SEAL turned first-term congressman, told Fox News Digital that “although the roles are different, we have pretty much similar problem sets.”
Luttrell’s comments come as Texas lawmakers take on a new mission to protect the nation, making border security one of the top priorities of his first term in office.
“Texas is bearing the brunt of this, in my opinion. And I’m a fifth-generation Texan. So when I say this is my hometown, it’s definitely true. I’m going to protect my hometown from any enemy.” and we’re just being overrun,” Luttrell said.
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Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas) speaks with reporters at the Capitol on January 10, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call, via Getty Images)
Luttrell’s twin brother, Marcus, also a prominent SEAL veteran, has made it his new mission to fight the issue, introducing three border security bills in February alone.
The first, introduced at the beginning of the month, is called the “Securing our Borders from Armed Invaders” Act, which aims to give the National Guard the ability to repel armed migrants crossing the southern border. The second, introduced last week, is called the Jalisco Cartel Neutralization Act, which would require the Department of Defense to “develop a strategy to kill or capture the Jalisco Cartel leadership and report to Congress on its progress.” It’s mandatory.
The latest bill, first shared with FOX News Digital, is called the “Empowering Local Law Enforcement Agencies to Combat Sex Trafficking Demands Act” and dedicates funds from the JAG program to local law enforcement agencies to combat sex trafficking. This problem has been exacerbated by the United Nations crisis. border.
“Human trafficking affects communities across our country, and Houston, Texas is currently the top city in the United States for these horrific crimes.Sadly, cartels are crossing our nation’s open borders. The problem is only getting worse as we continue to abuse it,” Luttrell said of the bill introduced Thursday in a press release. “This important and common-sense legislation provides law enforcement with the resources to fight human traffickers who threaten and force men, women, and children into modern slavery. We cannot allow merchants to continue to run amok in our communities.”
The bill comes amid a dispute between Texas and the Biden administration, which signed the bill in December, giving Texas State Police the power to arrest and prosecute illegal immigrants. The case is scheduled to go to court over state law.
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The Justice Department is suing the states over the law, arguing that the federal government’s “exclusive authority under federal law to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens” must be preserved.
The Justice Department’s complaint states that “its efforts through SB4 violate the federal government’s exclusive authority to regulate the admission and removal of noncitizens, interfere with U.S. immigration operations and processes, and interfere with U.S. foreign relations.” It is written as “
Congressman Morgan Luttrell (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
But Luttrell said he has seen firsthand the devastation of the border crisis in Texas, where people die from overdoses of drugs smuggled across the border; Voters told us stories of loved ones who had died or been victims of human trafficking and other crimes. Cartel consequences. Rather than wait for political gridlock in Washington, Luttrell said the federal government should leverage the support of local law enforcement.
Luttrell said his latest bill could do just that.
“It appears that the federal government is putting unnecessary pressure on local law enforcement,” Luttrell said.
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Luttrell said his new bill has the support of Pennsylvania state Rep. Chris Deluzio, who said the Texas lawmaker’s bill would help “make our communities safer,” and is trying to break the impasse across the aisle. .
“I am pleased to work with Congressman Luttrell on strengthening law enforcement to fight the Sex Trafficking Demand Act to increase federal resources in the fight against the scourge of human trafficking,” Delzio said in a statement. Stated.
Representative Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas) is pictured during his time as a Navy SEAL. (Morgan Luttrell/YouTube)
The bill was introduced by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Missouri), Rep. Lori Chavez Delemer (R-Ore.), and Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Ore.). , Florida), co-sponsored by Representative Don Bacon, Republican of Nebraska. , Nancy Mace, R.S.C., Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, Jennifer Gonzalez-Colon, R-Puerto Rico, Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, Pete Stauber, R-Minnesota, Jake Elsey, Republican Texas.
Luttrell said he plans to continue fighting for a more secure border regardless of the outcome of the new law, but noted that fights in Congress often require more patience than those he fought as a SEAL.
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“Using a pen is completely different. In the past, we used rifles to fight threats to our country,” Luttrell said. “It’s difficult to use a pen now, because you want to see the results instantly. That’s very difficult.”
