WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Mark Green announced he will be an original co-sponsor of Rep. Mo Brooks’ Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order (EL CHAPO) Act. The bill directs any funds seized from individuals engaged in criminal enterprise along the border to the completion of the border wall. This would include $14 billion in funds seized from El Chapo, the notorious Mexican drug lord recently apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol.

“This simple bill would allow the U.S. to begin building a border wall without costing the American taxpayer a single dime,” said Rep. Green. “Drug lords like El Chapo illegally traffic humans and narcotics across our southern border allowing them to make billion dollar fortunes. Let’s use that money to build a wall and end the trafficking.”

Sen. Ted Cruz introduced a similar bill in the Senate.

El Chapo’s trial began in November and is expected to continue for the next several months as the government prosecutes him based on the 17-count indictment related to narcotics trafficking, money laundering and murder.

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