U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, will again serve as co-chairman of the Northern Border Security Caucus, which was formed in early 2023 to address concerns about security along the U.S.-Canada border. Serving alongside Kelly will be Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont.

In a news release, Rep. Kelly cited statistics saying that drug smuggling across the border (excluding marijuana) has increased by 1,153% form 2021 to 2023, with cocaine smuggling increasing 2,787%. Meanwhile, 87% of all terror watchlist suspects apprehended at a U.S. land border port took place at the northern border.

“When we learned more terror watchlist suspects cross through the northern border than the southern border, we demanded the Biden administration address this crisis. In turn, we were ignored,” said Kelly in the release. “The caucus looks forward to working with President (Donald) Trump to enhance northern border security in the year ahead.”