Clay Higgins

My numbers say we have 1.1 million illegal crossings at our Southern Border. We are absolutely in crisis as a Nation.

Do you believe that every square inch of American soil is sovereign and should be secured and protected?

You are not going to answer my question.

Today's hearing should be one of the most significant hearings in Congress. We face unbelievable and unprecedented challenge on our Southern Border.

What you are going to hear, my fellow citizens, is scripted, rehearsed speeches.

Our Southern Border is absolutely the front line of defense for the sovereignty of our Nation.

We gradually got it under control over the course of 4 years working with President Trump.

You would not think the surge would have anything to do with the invitation from the President of the United States?

What we're witnessing right now is layers of crisis.

Interviews with Border Patrol agents have resulted in reasonable acceptance of the fact that migrants are directly responding to the Biden administration's policies.

The current crisis at our Southwest Border is worse than the migrant surges in both 2014 and 2019.

I personally have zero confidence that there will be success of political engagement with the Taliban.

I think it is time to bring our troops home.

Our investment in American treasure for 20 years has been the equivalent of about $8 billion a month.

I respectfully urge you to expedite a request to Congress for a disaster supplemental to provide the region with specific funding for the CDBG Disaster Recovery Grants.

In my opinion it is massive Federal overreach.

Unfortunately, my colleagues across the aisle who hold the majority choose to present this hearing today through a 100-percent political prism.

I don't like eminent domain. And I'm certain that if the Founders were with us today they would agree that eminent domain, seizure of private property, should be a last resort, and, if used, the landowners' rights should most certainly be…

The Founders intended for a duly elected President to have broad powers within the executive branch.

Stop oppressing American's freedoms. Reduce the tax burden. Reduce the regulatory burden. Stop punishing Americans who actually work.

The Department of Homeland Security Grants are undoubtedly a necessity in this process.

It is essential to protecting our communities and our first responders.

I certainly understand the importance of preparedness for disaster mitigation. It is an on-going challenge.

This administration's campaign rhetoric coupled with an over-zealous renunciation of the prior administration's border policies have invited this activity at our border.

Make no mistake, there is a crisis on our Southwest Border with no end in sight.