A recognized leader on national security, intelligence, and counterterrorism issues, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez serves as the Vice Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism. She is also a member of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology.

In the 111th Congress, Rep. Sanchez is taking a leading role in securing America's borders with Mexico and Canada. This Congress she has held and continues to hold hearings and briefings on the U.S. response to the drug related violence that has plagued most of the Mexican side of the border. She has appeared countless times on CNN, C-SPAN, FOX News, and MSNBC to discuss the importance of a coordinated and efficient U.S. response to the violence. She has also met with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to provide guidance on critical issues, including combating human, weapons, and drug trafficking and ensuring interagency cooperation on national security issues.

Furthermore, Congresswoman Sanchez has called on the U.S. government to move beyond a security only relationship with Mexico. The Congresswoman has pressed for active dialogue in pushing for this new approach in dealing with the violence in Mexico. She has called for increasing investments in infrastructure and economic growth along the border to foster legitimate trade and secure commerce between the U.S. and Mexico. She has also asked for new aid programs to invest in economic development in Mexico to fight the poverty that many drug cartels exploit for their benefit.

As Chair of the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism, Rep. Sanchez provides strict oversight for important security measures, including the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card program and the Secure Border Initiative (SBI).

In overseeing the TWIC program, which provides workers with an identification card to access secure areas at ports, Sanchez has fought to ensure port workers can continue working during their credentialing application process. Recently, the Congresswoman added language to the Transportation Security Administration Reauthorization Act of 2009 that established a timeline for the TWIC application process while requiring the development of procedures to allow TWIC card applicants to receive an authorized escort so they can report to work. As a result of her work, many port workers have been able to return to work after long periods of waiting. However, Sanchez understands more must be done and has vowed to continue oversight on this program.