Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Condemning Republicans’ Efforts To Give ICE And Border Patrol $140 Billion While Doing Nothing To Lower Americans’ Costs

Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) spoke on the Senate floor condemning Republicans' disastrous economic agenda including their most recent reconciliation bill that would give ICE and Border Patrol a $140 billion check while doing nothing to address the affordability crisis for working Americans. Below are Senator Schumer's remarks:

Last week, the nation saw what Republicans are prioritizing instead of lowering Americans' costs and funding agencies like the Secret Service.

On amendment after amendment, vote after vote, Democrats held Republicans accountable in last week's vote-a-rama for trying to give ICE and Border Patrol up to $140 billion but zero dollars to lower Americans' costs.

Democrats gave Republicans opportunities to join us in lowering out-of-pocket health care costs, in reducing childcare costs, in stopping insurance company delays, and protecting school meals. Republicans said no over and over and over again simply to take $140 billion and put it into ICE and Border Patrol.

Can you believe it? Can you believe it America? At a time when Americans are crying out for relief, Republicans are tying this Senate in knots all to cut Trump's rogue agencies a blank check with no significant reforms, reform that the American people want.

If Republicans think they are finished taking these difficult votes, they got another thing coming. Democrats will make sure Republicans face more votes on affordability when reconciliation comes back up in a few weeks because it's so important to the American people.

We will continue to expose Republicans' economic agenda for what it is: an utter disaster for working Americans. It's no wonder Trump's numbers are lower than they have ever been. He's not addressing what the American people want, and Republicans in the House and Senate just follow him blindly.

The GOP has completely lost sight of the needs of the American people right now. Trump wants to seclude himself in a walled palace - literally. His party is now trying to use their reconciliation process to pave the way for Donald Trump's gilded ballroom.

If Republicans truly want to improve security, they should join Democrats in funding the Secret Service, not Donald Trump's luxury ballroom.

Americans want us to help them put food on their tables and gas in their tanks - not to help Donald Trump put more gold on his walls.

###