Speech #1090179807

JCT. estimate that this bill would increase direct spending by $16 billion over the 5 years and $48 billion over 10 years. But what about all of the entitlement programs such as welfare? Illegal immigrants are currently ineligible for most federal welfare benefits. but when you give citizenship as this bill does those currently here illegally will be eligible for welfare programs. If just 60 percent of those currently here illegally get citizenshipthe ballpark figure of the number that have been here more than 5 yearsRobert Rector at the Heritage Foundation estimates that welfare costs will increase by more than $11 billion per year. However it may be even more important to note what the Senate bill did not do. We know that we must secure our borders. so my colleagues and I tried to add a provision to require a certification that the borders are secure before granting legal status to any alien who entered the United States illegally. I was not only surprised but extremely disappointed that our efforts to do this rightvto secure our borders first before dealing with the 11 million illegal aliens In our countryfailed. So that bill continues to put the cart before the horseand continues to hold our national security hostage to a "comprehensive solution." For this reason. in June I introduced my own billthe Border Security First Act. S. 3564. My bill takes a firstthingsfirst approach. This first step cannot. and should not. wait for a "comprehensive" solution. When we secure our bordersand only thenwe can address the remaining illegal immigrationrelated challenges with the apposite remedies. Despite consensus on all of the border security provisions in my bill. my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have not allowed us to move forward that legislation. Nonetheless. this week the Senate is working to send to the President a bill to secure our southern border with 700 miles of at least doublelayer fencing. I am glad we are here today to take a real first stepadmittedly a modest step but at least a first steptoward demonstrating to the American public that we have heard you. that we understand we need to address border security first. And the American public has been clear. but let me focus on my State for a minute. In Pennsylvania. my constituents have been clear80 percent oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants. and 84 percent support building a fence on the southern border. Stop the flood and do not give amnesty. That is the message. colleagues. It cannot be plainer. We must listen and put Americas border security first. reject amnesty. and pass this bill. Border security cannot wait for more hearings. debate. and compromise: it must be done right. and it must start now. This bill is a good first step.