Border Security

BORDER SECURITY -- (House of Representatives - July 28, 2006)

(Ms. FOXX asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, America cannot be a secure Nation without first having secure borders. Inadequate border security not only opens up America to the abuses of illegal immigration, it also leaves our Nation vulnerable to criminal and even terrorist activity.

House Republicans have taken a strong stance on this issue. Democrats, on the other hand, support the Reid-Kennedy bill, a soft piece of legislation that would do little to discourage the lawlessness that we have encroaching into our Nation. It would require illegal immigrants to pay taxes for only 3 of the 5 years they have been in our country, and would guarantee Social Security benefits to illegals for the time they have been in the country unlawfully.

The Reid-Kennedy bill is just as unjust as it is dangerous. If a current American citizen tried to pay taxes 3 out of every 5 years, he would be put in jail. Why do we extend this privilege to people who aren't even citizens? It is simply ludicrous.

During August, Republicans will hold 21 hearings across the country on immigration. We hope these hearings will help us get a strong border security bill on the President's desk.

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