Protecting American Citizens Starts with Funding ICE and Border Patrol

"Americans are done with catch and release. Americans are done with open borders. ICE and Border Patrol deserve to be paid. ICE and Border Patrol deserve to have the tools, resources, and support they need to carry out their mission. It's time for Congress to fund the heroes who keep our country safe."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today urged swift passage of the Senate-passed budget resolution that funds Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso's remarks.

Sen. Barrasso's remarks as prepared:

"As a United States Senator, I want to keep America safe and secure. People who share that goal also share a common belief. That belief is this. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol have an important mission. Their mission is to keep Americans safe and secure.

"At this very moment, these vital agencies are running out of money. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin has warned that the money will run out by the end of this week. We are just days away from a law enforcement funding shortfall. If ICE and Border Patrol go unfunded, America itself will become less safe.

"Last week, Republicans here in the United States Senate passed a budget blueprint that fully funds these critical agencies. That budget has been sent to the House of Representatives. Speaker Johnson has pledged to put it on the Floor as soon as tomorrow. I encourage my colleagues to pass it without delay.

"A targeted and focused bill is the right path because it is the quickest path. It funds American law enforcement now. It protects the American people now and into the future. If you believe in secure borders, this bill is for you. If you believe in safe communities, this bill is for you. If you want our law enforcement fully funded for the long term - despite Democrats' best efforts to defund them - this bill is for you.

"This bill is also President Trump's bill. A few weeks ago, the President gave it his complete and total endorsement. I was with the President in the Oval Office. President Trump has been clear. He says he wants this funding bill on his desk.

"Senate Republicans heard him loud and clear. We stuck together and passed a budget blueprint that keeps America safe. Republicans must continue to stick together to meet President Trump's deadline.

"Every Republican knows why this reconciliation process is necessary. It is necessary because - as President Trump has rightfully said - protecting American citizens is the first duty of government. And it is necessary because -as Senate Democrats continue to demonstrate - protecting American citizens is something Democrats oppose and actively obstruct.

"Last week, the Minority Leader came to this Floor and delivered a statement which I found most disturbing. I found it disturbing and also misleading. The Senator from New York stood here and said, Republicans are funding 'two groups - Border Patrol and ICE - that nobody respects in this country.' That statement alone is blatantly false. The heroes of ICE and Border Patrol spend their days arresting gang members, seizing fentanyl, and securing the border. The American people know it and respect it. Americans all across the country honor their service and their sacrifice.

"Let me tell you what Americans do not respect. And let me tell you what Americans flat out reject. It's Democrats who call to 'Defund the Police.' It's Democrats who call to abolish ICE and abolish Border Patrol. That's what today's Democrat Party stands for. Democrats would rather protect illegal immigrant criminals than protect law-abiding American citizens.

"The American people voted for secure borders. They voted for safe communities. President Trump and Republicans have delivered. Look at the historic border security accomplishments under Republican leadership. Zero illegal immigrants have been released into our country in nearly a year.

"Democrats want to return to open borders. America had open borders for four years under Joe Biden. It was one of the most dangerous and deadly periods in American history. 10 million illegal immigrants flooded into our country. Open borders were a magnet for hardened criminals, drug dealers, and terror suspects.

"Americans are done with catch and release. Americans are done with open borders. ICE and Border Patrol deserve to be paid. ICE and Border Patrol deserve to have the tools, resources, and support they need to carry out their mission. It's time for Congress to fund the heroes who keep our country safe."

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