Mike Garcia Shares Concerns Over Lack of Transparency at Border Facilities

Press Release

This week, Representative Mike Garcia (CA-25) visited the southern border. While at the southern border, Garcia and a group of Republican lawmakers were blocked from entering the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC).

Garcia appeared on Fox News's Sean Hannity to share his concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the border crisis, including that federal lawmakers were blocked from doing their jobs and providing oversight.

"This isn't something we surprised them with, we didn't ask them the day before or two days before, we've been trying to get in there for a couple of weeks. And it's coming from the top, it's coming from the White House they don't want us in there, they don't want us seeing what it is. You can make a conjecture about why it is they don't want us in there. In my opinion, and I won't prejudge it, but my opinion is, they have data they are gathering at this intelligence center which is clearly indicating that our open borders are actually a more serious problem than the average American understands right now," Garcia told Fox News.

Garcia serves on the House Appropriations Committee, which is charged with ensuring federal taxpayer dollars are properly spent. Congressional oversight plays a critical role in providing lawmakers the information they need to make decisions regarding proper federal funding.

"It is wrong that Members of Congress are being prevented from doing their jobs," Garcia said. "As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, one of my top responsibilities is ensuring federal taxpayer dollars are being properly spent. That is hard to do when the Biden administration blocks your ability to provide proper oversight. I was looking forward to speaking with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials at this facility to discuss the impact our broken border is having on the growing opioid epidemic as well as the illegal marijuana grows appearing in my district. I will continue to fight to get answers from DEA on these issues. My constituents and Americans deserve answers."

Garcia remains committed to addressing the crisis at the southern border and ensuring the nation's borders are secured. He also will continue to work to combat the illegal marijuana grows in California's 25th District, a problem fueled by the broken border system.
Watch the full coverage here.

Read more from Fox News here.

Source