Founded in 1991, the Republican Liberty Caucus works to advance the principles of limited government, free markets and individual liberty within the Republican Party.

RLC National Committee member Terry Nelson, a veteran law enforcement officer whose career has spanned three decades, recently testified before the El Paso City Council in Texas. Nelson, a speaker with Law Enforcement Officers Against Prohibition, is convinced the War on Drugs is a failed policy.

In January, El Paso’s City Council unanimously voted to call for an open debate on ending drug prohibition; however, the mayor vetoed the resolution. The City Council responded by calling for an override of the veto. Unfortunately, the Mayor’s veto was upheld; four of the eight council members who originally supported the resolution reversed their votes under significant federal pressure that threatened state and federal funding.

Mr. Nelson’s service includes the U.S. Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security. Below is his testimony.