Speech #1130113890

This bill. Mr. Speaker. provides funding to meet immediate border security and humanitarian needs in response to the recent surge of illegal immigrants crossing our southern border. In terms of funding. this bill is essentially the same as the legislation the House considered yesterday. It emphasizes securing our borders. providing humanitarian assistance for unaccompanied children in U.S. custody. and preventing further influxes of illegal immigration. both by funding vital programs and by implementing important policy provisions. This is also a fiscally responsible bill. All funding is offset. so it wont add a penny to our deficit. However. the bill differs from the version yesterday by adding an additional $35 million for the National Guard to allow States. including Texas. to be reimbursed for National Guard activities related to border security and the current influx of illegal immigrants. This brings the new total of the bill to $694 million. and. again. it is fully offset. In addition. the bill includes new tweaks to various policy provisions which will help to further tighten our borders and provide solutions that help solve our immigration challenges for the future. Mr. Speaker. we have a crisis on our hands. and we cant simply get up and walk away.