Jody Hice

So does Congress have the authority to alter the status of the District through legislation?

Congress, in the Constitution, has been granted the exclusive authority in all matters whatsoever in this Federal city--in the District of Columbia.

The issue really today comes down--there are several issues but at the end of the day we are dealing with a constitutional issue and therein a constitutional problem.

I think the American people deserve to know how all this debacle began.

And, look, we've got to address solutions, and the solutions are not open border policy.

I've seen great, hardworking members of our CBP and others giving all they've got to do a job well.

The solutions are not open border policy.

Look, we can address problems if we're willing to get to the root of the issues and address them.

If the Democrats genuinely cared about the plight of migrants, of unaccompanied children, of sick immigrants and so forth, then let's come to the table and let's try to get solutions instead of the continued political posturing.

This committee continues the same type of political posturing and attacks toward this administration regarding the border crisis, while at the same time doing absolutely nothing to address the problem.

We are a compassionate country, and that goes for both sides of the aisle and the vast majority of people in this country.

This is certainly an area that we need to dig deeper into, and make sure that we are secure.

And so I want to sincerely say thank you to each of our witnesses for your role and for you being a part of this hearing today.

I very much appreciate this Administration's efforts to drain the swamp, and to help push as much of the Federal workforce outside the DC Beltway.

I believe we are majorly behind the eight ball at this point, and there are so many issues to deal with.

The powers of the Federal Government is only like 18 areas. Everything else is to be left to the states and to the people.

Just kind of a question across the board, because this is an extremely important topic, as we all know, but at the same time, there's no question we have seen such a massive growth in our Federal Government that it dictates all the way…

As the funds were made available improvements have been evident, and they've been stunning.

I have absolutely not seen any indication of a deficit of empathy.

On February 23 in Laredo, Texas, Speaker Pelosi said, there is no national emergency at the border.

It strikes me that criticizing Border Patrol and ICE and so forth for overcrowded detention centers... the fault, the problem lies with us right here in Congress for not addressing the problems.

Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez called it a fake national emergency.

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Washington will be postponed. Amendments En Bloc No. 2 Offered by Mr. Smith of Washington

I would remind my friend that the executive branch is already required to divest. As it relates to finding it laughable that I made a comment about the inability of the majority party to govern, I don't find that a laughing matter at all…

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Virginia will be postponed. Amendment No. 12 Offered by Mr. Connolly The Acting CHAIR. It is…