In 2021, there were 299 fentanyl overdose deaths in my State of Oklahoma.

EVERY STATE IS A BORDER STATE: EXAMINING SECRETARY MAYORKAS' BORDER CRISIS

We know that last year, 13,000 pounds, 13,000 pounds of fentanyl was seized in 2023.

America has long welcomed those coming to our shores seeking protection from persecution, and we are a better Nation for it.

But the question remains do we want to finally overcome our border challenges or do we want to use this issue for partisan attacks?

the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Gonzalez, a Republican Member of this panel who represents a border district, called the bill 'anti-American' and 'not Christian'--and I agree.

However, I would note that while Republicans are using this hearing to criticize Secretary Mayorkas for the challenges at our border... the majority has offered no solutions of its own.

Congressional Democrats understand the complex reasons that immigrants seek to come to the United States and are prepared to work with Republicans to create a plan that both ensures the security of our borders and expands legal pathways…

But 100,000 die every year and nothing's being done. Not enough is being done. Numbers are going up, not down.

The bill we passed helps to do that.

That kind of talk may score political points in certain circles, but it flies in the face of good old-fashioned common sense.

Instead, we need to look at the facts, and work together toward solutions.

Turning our backs on asylees would be turning our backs on who we are as a country.

The United States of America has a responsibility to keep our promise to those like Mr. Safi, who bravely helped American soldiers in their time of need, and help him in his time of need as he seeks asylum in the United States.

Unfortunately, I am concerned that this hearing won't help us move toward a solution for better border management, but rather may be used by some as a platform for divisive rhetoric and anti-immigrant fearmongering.

fixing our broken immigration system will not only help migrants fleeing persecution and poverty, but it will also help us manage our border human smuggling, put them out of business, free law enforcement to focus on drug smugglers, and…

However, the evidence does not support the Republican theory that immigrants are responsible for trafficking fentanyl into the United States.

The gentleman from Texas, Mr. Gonzalez, a Republican member of this panel, called the bill anti-American and not Christian, and I agree.

This is the United States of America. Democrats recognize that we can maintain the highest level of security in the world while also treating immigrants with the utmost compassion, respect, and humanity.

This should not be politicized. It's not about race. Fentanyl doesn't care about race.

The fact is, the Biden administration is working to reunite hundreds of families who remain separated years after the Trump administration took children from their parents at the border, a policy that will be a permanent stain on our…

The fact is Democrats are focused on investing in border staffing, infrastructure, and technology, especially at ports of entry.

I hope that going forward, we will not lose sight of the fact that the intelligence community has been clear that domestic extremism is one of our other most serious threats.

We owe it to the American people to focus on all of the threats to the homeland, including those at the Southern Border.

I say we, based on Democrats we had 216 Democrats voted for this bill. Only 9 Republicans joined in.