Border Security

Floor Speech

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Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, it is with a great sense of honor, respect, and patriotism I make my first address on this floor.

This government shutdown needs to be resolved. The people know it is up to this Congress to do it and to do so in short order.

Despite the high level of political morass we must wade through in these first days of the 116th Congress, I continue to believe that this Congress can do things better and actually work together to get things done for the American people.

The need exists to advance and improve our border security, as well as correct aspects of our illegal immigration laws.

The problem-solving, however, starts with securing our borders. Our borders are a serious problem. We all know this. The data is indisputable by anyone who seriously reviews the information.

We have hundreds of thousands entering our country illegally every year, and our Border Patrol agents cannot manage the situation with the resources and tools Congress has appropriated.

There is a cost and a plan to make our borders properly secure. Congress has the responsibility to provide the right level of funding so border security staff can, in fact, do their job and so our country has lawful immigration.

The experts at Homeland Security say this cost is $5.7 billion. There are many in this Congress who will not vote for this, but less than 7 years ago, these same Members voted for border security funding which did, in fact, include a physical barrier.

Politics has no place in this serious matter. The border agents, including Chris Cabrera of the National Border Patrol Council, emphasizes that a wall, or a barrier, is an essential tool. We here in Congress must provide the means so Border Patrol can do their job.

I, myself, do believe in a policy of high fences and wide legal gates, but before we can talk about legal gates and deal with the issues such as DACA and extended work visas for agricultural workers, we must secure the border.

The people want us to work together for our country, not for ourselves or our political parties. Let's not continue to let the people down. Let's show that this Congress can do things better.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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