Consideration of Certain Resolutions Reported From the Committee on Rules

Floor Speech

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Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the rule to allow for consideration of the Senate's forthcoming reconciliation bill.

The legislation comes after Democrats backed out of a bipartisan Department of Homeland Security bill all the way back in February.

As a sitting member of the Appropriations Committee, it was shocking to me that we were able to get all of our appropriations bills across the finish line and to the President's desk, except for Homeland Security. In that moment, Democrats chose to play political games with the safety and security of this Nation.

Thankfully, President Trump used emergency measures to ensure that the Coast Guard, Border Patrol, TSA, and others received pay, but Democrats proved they were more than willing to hold more than 260,000 employees who work at DHS hostage.

While most of the agency was funded in May, additional resources for Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are still needed. This is why the legislation is so important. It fully funds these agencies for the remainder of the Trump administration.

The difference couldn't be more clear: Under the Biden administration, more than 10 million illegals crossed the southern border. This included drug smugglers, human traffickers, criminal organizations, and even terrorists on the FBI watch list.

This has all changed thanks to President Trump. During the last year, there have been zero releases at the border, and apprehensions in April were 94 percent lower than the monthly average under the previous administration.

Under my friend and fellow Oklahoman, Secretary Markwayne Mullin, I know the Department will continue to ensure our border is closed, ultimately protecting our homeland.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this rule.

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