Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2024

Floor Speech

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Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. 4367, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

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Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, I begin by thanking the chairwoman of the full committee, Ms. Granger, for her leadership and her tireless efforts to bring these appropriation bills to the floor.

I also thank the ranking member of the subcommittee, my good friend, Mr. Cuellar, who has worked with us in good faith on the bill despite some disagreements on policy.

Lastly, I have enjoyed my time sitting next to the ranking member of the full committee, the gentlewoman from Connecticut, not once, but twice in the last few days.

The bill before us today provides $62.8 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, an increase of $2.1 billion above the fiscal year 2023 level.

In addition, the bill also includes $20.3 billion for disaster response and recovery activities, including to support communities after the devastating wildfires in Maui and Hurricane Idalia.

One of the most pressing challenges this country faces is a border security crisis that has raged under the Biden administration. Two million migrants illegally crossed the border in each of the last 2 years, and we are on track for that same amount this year. Just yesterday alone, there were 11,000 migrant encounters. Let me repeat that--nearly 11,000 migrant encounters in 1 day.

Regardless of your definition of border security, it is clear that the policies of this administration are not working. The reason is obvious. The White House is sending a message to cartels and migrants that the border is open, and there will be no consequences if you cross illegally.

This bill forces the Biden administration to do what it has not and will not do on its own--act to address the border security crisis. The funding and policy provisions included in this bill are in lockstep with the provisions of H.R. 2, which together will put us on a path to securing the border.

Unlike recent Homeland Security appropriations bills and the President's request, this bill returns to a tried-and-true border security approach by investing in methods to both secure the border and deter those who have no legitimate basis for entry.

This bill includes $2.1 billion for physical barriers with explicit conditions that the funds be put on contract quickly. The chief of the Border Patrol and other border security professionals have confirmed time and time again that walls work.

The bill also provides nearly $500 million to hire more Border Patrol agents to reach an end strength of 22,000 agents. The bill increases funding levels for border security technology, so our agents and officers have the latest, most effective equipment to detect and deter illegal activity.

Stopping fentanyl and other narcotics that have been ravaging our communities is a priority for all of us, so this bill provides $305 million for nonintrusive inspection equipment at our Nation's ports of entry. Detention is a deterrent to those who seek to abuse our immigration system and falsely claim asylum.

As a result, the bill provides funding for 41,500 detention beds, which is 16,500 more than this administration requested, to ensure that ICE has adequate capacity to detain those with final removal orders or who pose a risk to public safety, as well as migrants who illegally cross our borders.

To counter the growing strength of Chinese influence in the Indo- Pacific, the bill provides an additional $335 million to the Coast Guard for fast-response cutters. Also, to increase our presence in the Arctic, the bill provides funds for the Coast Guard to acquire a commercially available icebreaker to extend U.S. sovereignty and counter China and Russian expansion into the polar regions.

Simply put, the bill before us today ensures that the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security, who work tirelessly on our behalf, have the resources and the tools that they need to protect this great Nation.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Hinson), a distinguished member of our Appropriations Committee.

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Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins).
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Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meuser).
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Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).
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Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Chair, I thought we were here to talk about the Homeland Security appropriations bill, and I look forward to having further discussion and reviewing these amendments.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 723, I offer amendments en bloc.

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Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Chair, this bipartisan en bloc amendment before you is comprised of 23 amendments offered by my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

This en bloc contains proposals that would strengthen the underlying bill, and I want to highlight just a few.

The en bloc will provide additional funding to bolster investigations for exploited children with Secret Service and Homeland Security Investigations.

It will increase the nonintrusive inspection equipment at CBP ports of entry to improve detection of fentanyl and other opioids that plague communities across our country.

It would also increase funding for FEMA grant programs, for firefighters and other first responders, and for physical security for nonprofit organizations at risk of terrorist attack.

Lastly, I want to highlight a proposal that would strengthen our National Urban Search and Rescue Response System.

I was on the ground in Maui last month and learned firsthand the critical role these teams play in saving lives and protecting communities in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.

The base bill includes a modest increase for this program, but I strongly support the proposal to further increase funds for this force- multiplying Federal asset.

Again, I thank my colleagues for their participation in this process, and I urge Members to support this bipartisan en bloc.

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Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner).

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Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Chair, I believe we are on the bipartisan en bloc amendment.

To that point, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner) for an encore performance on another amendment.
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Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).

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Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.

The motion was agreed to.

Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. DesJarlais) having assumed the chair, Mr. Murphy, Acting Chair of the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported that that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4367), making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes, had come to no resolution thereon.

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