I thank my colleague from Texas. Mr. Speaker, I hope that what we have discussed today has been able to illustrate the positive dynamic of the U.S.-Mexico border. What we have offered historically to this country, whether it is Ellis…

I want to thank Representative Gallego for his very eloquent support of moving forward with comprehensive immigration reform and doing so in a rational, fact-based manner. And I think he would agree with me that we are very pleased to see…

The removal of the money for the HC-144s represents about one-third of the total reduction in funding that we see in this plan versus the 5-year plan from last year.

It is a place that is transforming lives in our community, giving people who otherwise would not have an opportunity, the chance to succeed.

If we slow down already long wait times even further, with a system that doesn't work or with a system whose effect on throughput we cannot ascertain, that to me is troubling, as well.

Was it worth $500 million? Is it worth an additional $3.2 billion, what you have seen so far?

But without any data, without you being able to give me hard numbers, how could I support authorizing another dime for this program?

I think it is important for us to move forward with objective, verifiable data.

I appreciate your belief that this makes us more secure. The concept is a good one. But we need facts if we are to make informed decisions going forward.

How do we communicate with people who are crossing into the United States?

I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I rise today in support of the McGovern-Smith-Lee-Jones-Garamendi amendment to responsibly end the war in Afghanistan. I have the distinct honor of representing Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas…