Speech #1090171367

Mr. Speaker. I am disappointed today that the House is once again refusing to take up substantive. comprehensive border security and immigration retorm legislation which could actually be enacted into law before we adjourn for the year. Mr. Speaker. it is absolutely critical that Congress pass meaningful and effective border security and immigration reform. Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Congress has taken significant steps to secure our border and prevent another terrorist attack on our soil. Congress created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and a strong Director of National Intelligence. which constituted the largest reorganization of our law enforcement and intelligence services since World War I1. As a tormer member of the House Homeland Security Committee. I know that the United States must move rapidly to: establish operational control of all borders and ports. end our "catch and release" practice of aliens apprehended crossing the border illegally. effectively organize the border security agencies within the Department of Homeland Security. and promote international policies to deter illegal immigration. I support the Motion to Recommit to this legislation. which would: create 3.000 new U.S. Border Patrol agent positions. create 2.000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent positions. improve recruitment and retention of border security personnel. create 25.000 new detention beds annually. for a total of 100.000 new detention beds. and develop a comprehensive border surveillance system. I agree with the former 9/11 Commissioners. who recently issued a report which concluded that Congress and the Administration have much more work to do to make America safer. and gave our government fair to poor grades for our current level of border security. This legislation does nothing to provide the significant new resources called for by the 9/11 Commission report. I am disappointed. therefore. that the leadership of the House of Representatives has failed to allow the House to take up a comprehensive homeland security and immigration reform bill that addresses the pressing vulnerabilities in our border security. The House has already passed legislation in December which authorizes the creation of new fencing. and the Senate has passed a much broader border security and immigration reform measure. The House leadership should immediately proceed to a conference with the Senate to reconcile these differences. Border security is too important and should be included in legislation that can be quickly enacted into law.