Republicans Will Fund ICE and Border Patrol Despite Democrat Obstruction

"The American people deserve to feel safe at home, safe in their communities. And we deserve to have a homeland that is secure. And that's why I am saying it is time to pass the Secure America Act."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today

spoke about how Republicans will fully fund Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement through the Secure America Act. Senator Barrasso discussed how Republicans are committed to keeping our communities safe and secure while Democrats are committed to defunding law enforcement.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso's remarks.

Sen. Barrasso's remarks:

"Republicans are ready to move forward on funding critical components of our government. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Border Patrol.

"I heard the Minority Leader here on the Floor of the Senate a few minutes ago, and it sounds like he is continuing - as the Democrats have been doing - standing with illegal immigrant criminals. Protecting illegal immigrant criminals rather than protecting American citizens.

"What we're proposing - and the bill we'll be discussing today - is a bill that is targeted and is focused. And it is a vote for safe communities, not for criminals, specifically criminal illegal aliens. It is a vote for secure borders.

"Safe communities and secure borders are the top priorities of American citizens. People want to live in safe communities. They want secure borders. The top priority of the Democrats doesn't seem to be that at all. It seems to be defund border security, defund law enforcement in this country. That's what they've been for years. Protesting in the streets. Defund the police. Get rid of ICE.

"We need safety and security for the American people. What we've seen after month and month and month of Democrat obstruction is very clear. Democrats want to go back to the days of the chaos of open borders. People streaming across the Southern Border into our nation. Republicans are not prepared to allow them to do it.

"The American people deserve to feel safe at home, safe in their communities. And we deserve to have a homeland that is secure. And that's why I am saying it is time to pass the Secure America Act.

"Earlier this month, the United States Border Patrol secured a historic record. For a full year, not a single illegal immigrant has been released into our country. Catch and release no longer exists. Our border is more secure than ever before.

"Of course, this security is not guaranteed. The border is secure because enforcement is strong, and there is a commitment to enforcing the law. The danger has not disappeared.

"One week ago, United States Border Patrol agents and Texas Highway Patrol arrested 12 illegal immigrants in Southwest Texas. The arrests occurred late at night on a private ranch near our Southern Border. Among those arrested are six Chinese nationals. All of them were military age. All of them were captured wearing military-style camouflage.

"These six Chinese nationals are not ordinary illegal immigrants. They are what law enforcement classifies as 'Special Interest Aliens.' A Special Interest Alien is a non-citizen whose country of origin or travel history raises the concern of a serious national security threat. Special Interest Aliens are subject to enhanced security scrutiny.

"The six Chinese nationals wanted to avoid getting caught. We still don't know who they are. We still don't know why they are here. We still don't know where they were heading. We still don't know who they planned to meet.

"This situation reminds us of a core security principle: national security starts with border security. Congress cannot allow Democrats to strangle the resources Border Patrol needs to keep America safe.

"The United States Border Patrol stands on the front lines of American safety. These are the men and women who patrol areas that are rugged and remote. They secure our borders. They keep illegal immigrant criminals out of our country. They do dangerous and diligent work because they know it makes the American people safer.

"Joe Biden and Democrats failed to secure the border. Joe Biden and Democrats undermined the men and women of Border Patrol. They turned our Southern Border into a turnstile. Over ten million people entered our country illegally in just four years. There was no enforcement of border law. There was only abandonment of our border.

"President Trump and Republicans had the common sense and commitment to secure the border. Through the Working Families Tax Cuts law, we invested $170 billion in border security. That's the largest border security investment in American history.

"Republicans funded the border wall. We ended Joe Biden's Catch and Release policy. We restored Remain in Mexico. We cracked down on the Cartels. We gave Border Patrol the tools and resources to do their job. Republicans remain resolutely committed to keeping America safe.

"By contrast, Democrats continue their commitment to open borders and to defunding the police. Democrats in the Senate right now are obstructing funding for Border Patrol. The Democrat blockade has gone on since January.

"Democrats are choosing protecting illegal immigrants over protecting law-abiding American citizens. They want to defund the police. They want to defund American security. They are choosing open borders over a secure America.

"Cartels, criminals, and foreign adversaries are watching what we do here in Washington D.C. Defunding Border Patrol is a dream to every criminal in the world who wishes to take advantage of innocent Americans. Why are Democrats standing with them? If we are serious about safe and secure communities, we must fully fund border security.

"Republicans introduced the Secure America Act. It will fully fund Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the next three years. It will give law enforcement the tools to keep illegal immigrant criminals, the cartels, and terror suspects out of our country.

"Republicans support the United States Border Patrol. We will deliver resources for the brave men and women who are committed to the safety and security of the American people."

###