WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford (AR-01) and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Member Jim Himes (CT-04) announced the members of the bipartisan HPSCI Cartel Task Force, led by Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), which will include:

·Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), Task Force Minority Co-Lead

·Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL-16)

·Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01)

·Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06)

“The creation of the Cartel Task Force was the Committee’s actionable response to combat the top threats outlined in the ODNI’s 2025 Annual Threat Assessment and what this Committee heard from the IC leaders in our Worldwide Threats hearing earlier this year,” said Chairman Crawford. “I thank each of these members for their willingness to serve on this critical task force that will identify ways in which the IC can support in neutralizing the evolving threat cartels and transnational criminal organizations pose to U.S. homeland security.”

“I appreciate the initiative by Chairman Crawford to establish a HPSCI Cartel Task Force, a bipartisan group of Members who will focus on the threats posed by drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations and propose concrete solutions to help protect American lives and interests,” said Ranking Member Himes. “I look forward to working with Rep. Crenshaw, Rep. Crow, and the other Members of the Task Force.”

“The United States cannot allow Mexico, our neighbor and largest trading partner, to devolve into a failed narco-state run by violent cartels,” said Congressman Crenshaw, Cartel Task Force Lead. “The situation in Mexico has escalated from a drug war to a full-scale terrorist insurgency. This calls for a comprehensive strategy in cooperation with the Mexican government and the Trump administration. I am grateful to each member joining the HPSCI Cartel Task Force; together, we will develop actionable, integrated solutions to neutralize this evolving threat and safeguard American lives.”

“Our national security is not a partisan issue and protecting America’s homeland must be a top priority. Cartels make us less safe by smuggling dangerous drugs like fentanyl and opioids into our communities and trafficking vulnerable women and children. I look forward to working as a part of the Cartel Task Force to identify bipartisan solutions that help address threats from criminal organizations,” said Congressman Crow.

The HPSCI Cartel Task Force will support the House of Representatives’ efforts to build consensus with the U.S. Senate and the Trump Administration around identifying necessary legislative actions to combat the threat from the dangerous cartels in the Western Hemisphere. These cartel activities include narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, the arms trade, and other illegal and destabilizing activities.

Any legislative solutions produced by the HPSCI Cartel Task Force will fall within HPSCI legislative jurisdiction. The Task Force will seek to garner consensus from relevant HPSCI Subcommittees on legislative initiatives within the Committee’s jurisdiction, in close consultation with the Administration to understand needs.

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