The 119^th Congress just began, and the U.S. Senate has already taken steps to repair President Biden's disastrous border crisis. As Republicans lead Congress and the White House, I am optimistic that the country will return to proper enforcement of our immigration laws. The November elections made it clear that the American people are eager to move on from the humanitarian, drug, and public safety dangers brought about by the Biden administration's open border policies.

Senate's First Bill Would Toughen Border Enforcement

As our first act in the new year, senators voted to move forward on the Laken Riley Act. The key provision of the bill would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain illegal immigrants who have been charged with theft. Lawmakers hope the bill will help DHS, the agency that oversees border law enforcement, address criminal behavior committed by aliens before it reaches the level of violence.

The bill is named in honor of Laken Riley, a 22-year old nursing student who was murdered last year by an illegal immigrant. Her assailant entered the country in violation of the law, and Biden administration policy allowed him to remain in the United States until his asylum hearing. In the meantime, he was charged with theft and then released. Under this legislation, DHS officials would have been required to detain and then deport him for the charges, preventing this tragedy. Ms. Riley's mother and stepfather backed this legislation. So does a bipartisan majority of Congress. In the Senate, nearly all Democrats joined every single Republican to move the bill closer to becoming law.

President Trump Building Strong Border Team

President Trump is also acting quickly to tame the chaos at the border. The crisis was a major theme of last year's election, and the American people gave him a mandate for change. He has already named several excellent leaders ready to get to work after his inauguration.

The incoming president has named Tom Homan as a "border czar." Mr. Homan previously led ICE, and his new role underscores President Trump's commitment to border security. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been tapped to lead DHS. Former U.S. Border Patrol chief Rodney Scott is set to direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and a long-time official from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Caleb Vitello, will rise to the top of that department.

Biden Administration's Final Days Spent Weakening Border Security

As the country looks to a future of stable law enforcement, the outgoing president seems determined to cement his legacy of weakness. While Americans were preparing for the Christmas holiday, the Biden administration was found to be selling off unused border wall materials - in direct violation of a statue I authored. It is difficult to interpret the move as anything other than obstruction, since it adds a roadblock to President-elect Trump's agenda.

Throughout his administration, President Biden has spent millions of dollars to store - rather than use - border wall panels purchased by President Trump. He was so committed to failing policies that at one point he was spending up to $130,000 every day to house these materials.

In other words, President Biden wasted taxpayer money to avoid a common-sense border security solution: building the wall. Congressional Republicans, President Trump, and his appointed officials will do the exact opposite. We will secure the border, enforce existing law, and work to heal the damage of President Biden's self-inflicted wound.