Letter to John Carter, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security - Neugebauer Requests Clarity on DHS Ammo Purchases

Letter

Congressman Randy Neugebauer sent a letter to Congressman John Carter, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, supporting language in the DHS appropriations bill this year ithat requires greater transparency and clarity on ammunition purchases. The text follows.

Dear Chairman Carter:

I write in support of Section 560 of the House Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which will bring greater transparency and clarity to the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) purchasing of ammunition.

As you know, recent reports of large ammunition purchases by DHS have stirred up significant controversy. I recognize that there are legitimate uses of ammunition by DHS for training, testing, and on-duty use by agents. But many of my constituents have expressed concern that recent large ammunition purchases may not be used for these legitimate purposes. Particularly at a time when many Americans are rightfully concerned about their own Second Amendment rights, it is extremely important that the American people are assured that any transactions of this kind are only being used so DHS can effectively protect our citizens and keep the border safe and secure.

Section 560 of the appropriations bill will require DHS to report to Congress on how many rounds of ammunition it is buying, how it is buying and using those rounds, and who is using them. It requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report that clarifies the mission requirement for the use of ammunition for each department, comparisons between these numbers and the ammunition use of the Departments of Justice and Defense, and details of DHS contracting practices. Lastly, it requires quarterly reports on the quantity of ammunition used within DHS in the previous quarter, with details about the purchases and usage of that ammunition.

Your leadership on this issue is critically important, and I appreciate the inclusion of Section 560 in the Homeland Security Appropriations bill. I strongly encourage you to work to retain this language throughout Committee and House consideration of this bill, and in any potential conference committee with the Senate.

Sincerely,

Randy Neugebauer

Member of Congress

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