Homeland Security

Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.

As we sit here today, inflation is 8.6 percent above last year, the highest it's been in more than 40 years. Economists are saying American households should budget an extra $5,000 this year to cover rising prices – that's over $400 a month. Many families simply cannot afford this.

Prices of everyday goods have skyrocketed over the last year under the Biden Administration. For example:

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.

Thank you and Ranking Member Fleischmann for your work on the Homeland Security Bill before us today.

Unfortunately, I see areas where the funding and policies included in this bill are political and polarizing.

We all know this is a must-pass bill, and these issues will have to be addressed as we move forward, because they are very serious issues that need our consideration.

I will start with the funding. While this bill adds more than $2.7 billion above last year, it does nothing to seriously address the ongoing crisis at our southern border.

This bill fails to include new funds for the border wall. We know that walls work, and they have shown to effective in stopping illegal immigration.

Instead, this bill lays the groundwork for more illegal immigration.

The policies proposed only enhance the ability of drug cartels to smuggle drugs into our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7691, a bill that would provide additional assistance to Ukraine and other partners in the region.

Ten weeks ago, we witnessed Russia begin its attack on the sovereign nation of Ukraine.

To support Ukraine and our allies during this unprovoked, illegal, and appalling attack, Congress provided nearly 14 billion dollars in emergency funding through the fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills.

That funding has been crucial in Ukraine's efforts to fight back against Putin's evil invasion.

The bill before us today would provide roughly $40 billion in assistance to address the ongoing conflict.

With Russia continuing to take control of the country, more resources are needed to:

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. Welcome, Secretary Mayorkas. I sincerely thank you for joining us today.

Continuing the dialogue that we had on a bipartisan basis before the Easter break will be important in the weeks to come.

I am hopeful you can provide some additional insight into the plan that you released yesterday afternoon that outlines six border security pillars to address the historic number of migrants encountered by our agents and officers.

The crisis border continues to dominate the headlines, in part because of the administration's plans to repeal Title 42 – which have now fortunately been blocked by court order, at least temporarily.

Roughly half of all migrants your agents and officers encounter illegally crossing the border are subject to removal under the Title 42 authority.

If that tool goes away, it has the potential to profoundly impact border security operations.

I want to thank the chairwoman for holding this important hearing on the Department of Homeland Security's fiscal year 2023 budget.

Thank you also, Secretary Mayorkas for joining us. We look forward to your testimony today.

First, I want to honor Texas National Guardsman Bishop Evans.

Specialist Evans lost his life over the weekend saving two migrants from drowning.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Specialist Evans, as well as the Texas National Guard.

Illegal crossings, like the one Specialist Evans encountered, have skyrocketed under this administration.

A record number of migrants attempted to cross the border illegally last year, and we are on track for another record-breaking year.

On average, our Border Patrol Agents encounter seven thousand individuals every day. This is straining the capabilities of our processing and detention facilities.