Granger on Crisis at the Border

WASHINGTON – Today, the Homeland Security Subcommittee met to consider its appropriations bill for fiscal year 2020. Top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger (R-TX) expressed opposition to the bill and her growing concern about the border crisis. 

 
"Tonight, more than 2,500 children will be sleeping at the border waiting to be referred to parents and sponsors, and more than 19,000 people are detained at points of entry," said Granger. "In the first five months of this year, the number of apprehensions at the border has exceeded the population of Atlanta - at this rate, apprehensions will top one million in 2019.

"We are facing a crisis at our southern border, and we have to put partisan politics aside and address it. Homeland Security Chairwoman Roybal-Allard recently acknowledged that the situation is ‘just horrendous,' and I hope to work together with her and other Members of the Committee.  

"Congress must immediately pass an emergency supplemental bill, and the Appropriations Committee must address the problems with the fiscal year 2020 Homeland Security bill when it is marked up next week. We need all the tools at our disposal to address this crisis – we cannot hamstring the agencies on the frontlines by starving them of resources and not giving them the legal authorities they need."