Rep. Dan Crenshaw is leading a new task force to back up the Trump administration's fight against Mexican drug cartels. (AP/Getty/ Pfc. Dominic Atlas)
Fox News Digital spoke with Crenshaw days after he was tapped to lead a new task force on combating Mexico's drug cartels. It's operating under the House permanent select committee on intelligence, which Crenshaw sits on.
He said it differs from his initiative last year, a similar task force, albeit with few resources to execute his goals, according to the congressman.
"Last year's cartel task force didn't have any staff. We were a series of members conducting hearings, investigations," Crenshaw said. "I think we're past that stage at the moment. Now, what I lead is really the House's effort to actually create some legislation to combat the cartels."
He added that the intelligence panel was "the right place for it" given "a lot of the work we do is classified."
"So the goal here is to actually get some outcomes as opposed to continuing more hearings, continuing more investigation. I've got a pretty good outline of what needs to happen. We've got President Trump in the White House now, who wants to make it happen," Crenshaw said.
"Another huge difference between now and last year is we have a Mexican administration under President Sheinbaum, who also wants to make it happen and take the fight to the cartels."
Soldiers patrol the streets of Aguililla, Mexico, on March 11, 2022, after violent cartel activity. (Getty Images)
Republicans are looking to increase funding for President Donald Trump's border initiatives, but it's not immediately clear what shape that will take.
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The contours of that plan will become clear in the next several weeks, with lawmakers returning from a two-week recess at the end of this month.
But House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said his full faith was in Crenshaw to execute the task force's goals.
"Now it is the responsibility of Congress to ensure this good work can continue by providing the President with the tools he needs to dismantle the drug cartels for good," Johnson said in a statement. "No one has worked harder on this important issue than Congressman Crenshaw, and I am grateful he is willing to continue leading at this pivotal time."
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/inside-house-republicans-new-task-force-battle-criminal-mexican-cartels