Providing for Consideration of H.R. Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act; Providing for Consideration of H.R. Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act; Providing for Consideration of H.R. Condemning Actors Seeking to Defraud the United States Government, and Expressing the Sense of the House of Representatives That Governmentwide Fraud and Improper Payment Prevention Reforms Will Meaningfully Improve the Financial Prosperity of the United States, and That Federal Program Eligibility Should Be Verified Before Payment; and Providing for Consideration of S. Secure America Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. HARIDOPOLOS. Mr. Speaker, Laken Riley, 22 years old; Jocelyn Nungaray, 12 years old; Rachel Morin, a mom of five--all preventable tragedies.

Every person in this room knows the pain when you lose a son or daughter, and that is what we are talking about today. The most fundamental responsibility of a government is to protect life and property.

For 4 years, too many bad people were allowed to enter this country illegally. We are having a great struggle today rounding up rapists and murderers who committed crimes against these innocent Americans. That is not to mention human trafficking. That is not the right word. The word is sexual slavery. These are what these animals were doing who are transporting young boys and girls across the border.

Since January, when we had a deal, by the way, with the Democrats to fund this, they have played politics with people's lives.

The fundamental of every society is trust. Where fraud is permitted to flourish, that foundation will crumble. That is where we are at right now. To put a dollar amount on a person's life, I find it unacceptable.

I keep hearing these allusions to how things were better a few years ago. I serve on the Financial Services Committee. I asked the chairman of the Fed Board, who the other side of the aisle champions every day. I asked him a simple question. It is all on the record. Why do we have such inflation, meaning higher gas, rent, and food prices? He said it: The government spent too much money.

Now, we have to spend more money because, for 4 years, the other side was derelict in their responsibility to actually defend the border and allow these animals who committed the crimes against the individuals I speak of today to come into this country.

When they didn't allow local law enforcement, because 40 percent of the country is surrounded by sanctuary cities, we brought in ICE agents because they wouldn't do their job.

Mr. Speaker, I am here to stand up for Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray, and Rachel Morin. I am glad we are finally passing legislation to secure our border.

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