Ted Cruz Introduces EL CHAPO Act to Make Mexican Drug Lord Pay for Wall

Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) introduced the Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order (EL CHAPO) Act on Tuesday, intending to cover the cost of the southern border wall by seizing more than $14 billion in drug proceeds from infamous Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.

According to Cruz's press release, the bill would use all funds forfeited to the federal government during the prosecutions of El Chapo and other Mexican drug lords to fund the construction of the border wall. The funds could additionally be appropriated for other border security needs. The government is currently seeking over $14 billion from El Chapo in drug proceeds and other illicit profits.

"Fourteen billion dollars will go a long way toward building a wall that will keep Americans safe and hinder the illegal flow of drugs, weapons, and individuals across our southern border," Cruz wrote in the release. "Ensuring the safety and security of Texans is one of my top priorities."

Cruz also noted that the bill would lessen the impact on the federal budget while still fulfilling President Donald Trump's campaign promise to increase border security.

"We must also be mindful of the impact on the federal budget," Cruz wrote. "By leveraging any criminally forfeited assets of El Chapo and his ilk, we can offset the wall’s cost and make meaningful progress toward achieving President Trump’s stated border security objectives."

According to a Department of Homeland Security internal report, the wall would take over three years to build and would cost about...
Read More HERE