U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) recently led a bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to Morocco, Egypt, and Turkey to learn how the United States could lend its support to countering terrorism faced by its strategic partners.
Rep. Pfluger, chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Intelligence, and Law Enforcement, was joined by Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee Ranking Member Lou Correa (D-CA) and U.S. Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA), among other lawmakers.
Pfluger said he was proud to lead members from multiple committees in Congress to discuss the dangers to U.S. national security and U.S. interests.
“… I have dedicated our efforts on uncovering and combating terrorism and transnational organized criminal networks from every angle,” Rep. Pfluger said. “Our CODEL provided insights into the challenges we face in countering these threats, reaffirming the importance of our ongoing efforts in this critical area, and ensuring stability and prosperity in the region with U.S. allies and partners.”
The delegation met with Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch of Morocco and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt to discuss current security and counterterrorism challenges in the region. In addition, while in Turkey, the CODEL discussed energy security issues with various stakeholders, including U.S. businesses.
“Combating terrorism requires an international effort that prioritizes cybersecurity, military expertise, and innovative approaches to thwart this ever-evolving threat,” Rep. Obernolte said. “In the United States, malign organizations have used sophisticated cyberattacks to shut down our critical infrastructure and target our telecommunications systems with the goal of causing chaos in our country. It is critical that we work with our international security partners to strengthen our defenses,” he added.