Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2024

Floor Speech

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Mr. TIFFANY. Madam Chair, my amendment would prevent State and local governments who refuse to cooperate with Federal immigration authorities from being able to obtain Federal funds under this Act.

These so-called sanctuary city policies are nothing new. They are also illegal. In fact, they have been illegal since Bill Clinton signed a law making them illegal in the 1990s.

As we have seen in recent months, these misguided policies serve as a magnet for illegal aliens--overwhelming schools, hospitals, and other local services.

New York Mayor Eric Adams recently conceded that the tidal wave of illegal immigrants flooding into his sanctuary city will cost Big Apple residents a staggering $12 billion. He went on to say the influx will destroy his city.

But there is more to this issue than dollars and cents. Because these policies prevent local law enforcement from reporting illegal aliens to ICE, police are often forced to release foreign criminals from custody who, of course, go on to target new victims. That doesn't just put sanctuary cities at risk, it puts every other neighboring community at risk, too.

Madam Chair, why are Americans being forced to finance the dangerous and illegal policies of sanctuary cities like New York and Chicago?

Why are we being asked to pick up the tab for the problems these jurisdictions are bringing upon themselves?

It is time to stop rewarding bad behavior.

If you make an affirmative decision to violate Federal law, then you should be prepared to forego Federal funds.

Madam Chair, I ask for a ``yes'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. TIFFANY. Madam Chair, I would just conclude by saying, let's take New York City as an example. In the Natural Resources Committee today we had a hearing in regards to a national park in New York that is now being used as an encampment for illegal aliens. What is next?

Is it Yosemite next? Is it Yellowstone next? Is it the national seashore that is in my district, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Where next will they do this?

Plus, they ignore the NEPA process, something that the other side talks constantly about--we must follow the NEPA process. They are gutting it.

It shows what the goals of the Biden administration are. It is the- ends-that-justify-the-means mentality. They will do anything to continue the invasion of our country.

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

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