"I would argue it should be a policy to defeat ISIS where they are, where they exist and prevent them from coming into the United States." -- U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul, Chairman, House Committee on Homeland Security

For six terms U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul has represented the 10th Congressional District of Texas, a vibrant area sprawling between northern Austin and the Houston suburbs nearly 200 miles away.

His district includes farmers afflicted by drought and floods, high-tech industry affected by cybersecurity and Texans affected by international threats -- the "homeland" that needs security.

Since 2013, U.S. Rep. McCaul has chaired the House Committee on Homeland Security. He arrived with some understanding of the task. Before he was elected to Congress he had been Chief of Counter Terrorism and National Security in the U.S. Attorney’s office, Western District of Texas. He also led the Joint Terrorism Task Force charged with detecting and preventing terrorist activity.

On January 18, he will present a Council program directly connected to his roles, titled "The Deadliest Threats to Our Homeland – and How to Thwart Them."

After ISIS killed two American journalists in 2014, Rep. McCaul said that he believed ISIS had declared war on the U.S. and predicted "they are intent on striking the West, including Western Europe and the homeland."

The Committee headed by Rep. McCaul is responsible for oversight of the Department of Homeland Security. Rep. McCaul also is Chairman of the U.S. -Mexico Inter-Parliamentary Group which meets annually to discuss issues involving both nations.

Described as a "leading fiscal conservative," the Republican has opposed bailouts, the "Cap and Trade" national energy tax and the Affordable Care Act.

In 2012, Rep. McCaul's Creating Hope Act became law, establishing incentives for drug companies to create new treatments for children with cancer. He co-chairs the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus, which he founded.