On the recordDecember 14, 2023
I thank my good friend from Arizona for yielding. As very well stated, Mr. Speaker, a little over 2\1/2\ years ago, the Republicans in this body were talking about a crisis at the southern border. The illegal immigrants that were pouring into this country had created a crisis. Finally now, 3 years later almost, the Democrats across the aisle finally want to admit that there is a crisis, but they blame it on funding. We need more funding. Well, Mr. Speaker, I am here to tell you, it is not a funding issue, it is a policy issue. We need to change our policy. In May, House Republicans passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act. In 2023, we passed that bill. This robust border bill will require the Biden administration to complete the Trump-era border wall, increase the number of Border Patrol agents, reinstate the remain in Mexico policy, and remove all the incentives that are encouraging people to cross our border illegally. Senator Schumer must bring H.R. 2 to the Senate floor for a vote. We need them to do their job over in the Senate. We need relief from this crisis. Mr. Speaker, for the last 7\1/2\ months, that bill has been sitting, languishing in the Senate, with Democrats refusing to even negotiate the issues. It is very clear now, 7 months after House Republicans passed that bill, that now the Democrats own the border crisis and the Democrats own the national disasters that will flow from this crisis.…
