Secure the Border Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Mr. GOODEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, none of us in this Chamber thought that we would have a President, even as a Democrat, that would let the country get this way. Strengthening our national security and prioritizing the well-being of the American people should be a bipartisan issue. This is the strongest border security bill to come to the House floor in decades, but my colleagues on the other side of the aisle refuse to support this commonsense legislation, instead using terms like cruel, horrible, and heartless Republicans. The American people won't fall for that. They don't fall for that.

The Biden administration has created a humanitarian and security crisis unlike anything we have ever seen. They have outright refused to enforce the law, prioritizing the livelihoods of illegal aliens over American citizens. Drug cartels are running rampant. NGOs are handing out debit cards and bus tickets to migrants paid for with our taxpayer dollars. Human traffickers are targeting migrant children; it is heartless to do nothing about that and let the status quo continue.

However, it gets worse tonight at midnight. When title 42 lifts tonight at midnight, we will see yet another migrant surge to add to the historic numbers this administration has already amassed.

The Secure the Border Act strengthens protections for migrant children during a time when the Biden administration is losing over 85,000 unaccompanied minor children due to foolish and reckless practices. This bill protects migrant children, American citizens, and American workers.

H.R. 2 has my full support, and I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join the American people in our fight to secure our Nation.

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