Wanting to take every precaution to stem the spread of swine flu, at least two members of Congress are calling on the government to close the U.S.-Mexico border.

As dozens of cases are being reported in Texas and other states, Reps. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville, and Eric Massa, D-New York — along with a national anti-illegal immigration group — are asking federal officials or Gov. Rick Perry to shut down the border.

"The border should be closed," said Burgess, a doctor. "At least until we get a better handle on how big this is."

The Americans for Legal Immigration Political Action Committee echoed the call, asking Perry to "send the National Guard to the border immediately."

"It is the military’s role during a time of crisis and a time of war," said William Gheen, the PAC’s president. "We are at both."

Federal Homeland Security officials have said that the Mexican border already has adequate surveillance and that it doesn’t need to close because swine flu is already in the U.S. State lawmakers say officials should move cautiously.

"We should be very mindful of public safety but at the same time not overreact," said state Rep. Mark Shelton, R-Fort Worth, also a doctor. "The state has a plan in a place, and I have confidence the right decisions will be made."

Members of the PAC are asking federal officials to hold hearings about swine flu, halt unnecessary travel to Mexico and guard the border. Gheen said it’s up to Perry to step up if the federal government won’t.

"Gov. Perry should do what he has to do," he said. "We don’t know whether this contagious disease will or will not be pandemic. We do know that hours and days matter and . . . every nation should work to slow the progression of this disease to give researchers as much time as possible."

Border watch

Texas officials say they are doing their best to guard the border and protect residents.

The solution to protecting against swine flu is the same as protecting against smuggling or any other illegal activity.

"Secure the border between the ports of entry so no one can cross" without being cleared, said Steven McCraw, director of homeland security in Perry’s office. "You do this with boots on the ground, leveraging technology and making sure that people trying to get into Texas do so at ports of entry."

Then, U.S. Homeland Security officials work to ensure that those who enter Texas are legal and healthy.

"Obviously Texas is mindful, and the governor clearly understands . . . the importance of securing the Texas-Mexico border from all threats," McCraw said.

Massa, a member of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee, has asked for immediate action. "The public needs to be aware of the serious threat of the swine flu, and we need to close our borders to Mexico immediately and completely until this is resolved," he said.

Burgess has urged federal officials to not "underestimate the seriousness of this outbreak." And Rep. Joe Barton, R-Arlington, has said he is worried that President Barack Obama hasn’t named top health officials who would handle this outbreak.

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, questioned health officials during a hearing Tuesday, expressing worries that infected people may come into the U.S. through Texas’ airports and other ports of entry. "I feel we can more aggressively fight against the spread of the disease."

Cautious reaction

Back in Texas, state Rep. Paula Pierson, D-Arlington, said she trusts the state’s pandemic response plan.

"I don’t think we need to overreact and shut down the borders," Pierson said. "I think we have level heads in charge."

State lawmakers get updates from state health officials every day, and Pierson said the number of confirmed cases remained low Tuesday.

"I’m not calling home and telling my daughter to lock my grandchildren down," she said. "We need to be cautious but not overdo it."


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