Congressman Van Drew is Joined by Eight of his Colleagues in Introducing the Crisis Act

Statement

Today, Rep. Van Drew (R-NJ) announced the introduction of the CRISIS (Curbing Reckless Ill-Conceived Spending on Illegal Services) Act, which prohibits the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from allocating taxpayer dollars to provide assistance to illegal immigrants, including transportation, around the country.

Congressman Van Drew was joined by eight of his colleagues as original co-sponsors: Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Rep. John Carter (R-TX), Rep. John Joyce (R-PA), Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-TX), and Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN).

"There is no logical reason as to why hard-earned American taxpayer dollars should be used to fly illegal migrants across the country," said Rep. Jeff Van Drew. "At a time when the Biden Administration has failed to address the southern border crisis and record amounts of fentanyl are entering into our communities, we should be focused on protecting the American people and holding those who do not follow the rule of law accountable. I am proud to introduce this common-sense piece of legislation that will prevent the abuse of taxpayer dollars to benefit those who illegally entered our country."

"Hard-earned American taxpayer dollars should not be used to transport illegal immigrants or provide them with benefits. Not only is this unfair to American citizens, but perpetuates an already disastrous immigration crisis," said Rep. John Carter. "This bill will protect the integrity of Americans' tax dollars and ensure illegal immigration is not funded at taxpayers' expense."

"American taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund efforts to skirt or disregard our immigration laws and I thank my colleague Congressman Van Drew for leading this effort to restore much needed common sense and transparency," said Rep. Bill Posey.

"It is unconscionable to think that taxpayer dollars are being used to sneak illegal migrants into states under the cover of night all over the country. FEMA funded transportation has made every town a border town, as we have even seen in Chattanooga. This must come to an end," said Rep. Scott DesJarlais.

Background

FEMA's Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) received $400 million from the American Rescue Plan and received an additional $110 million specifically for "eligible local nonprofit and governmental organizations and state government facilities that have aided, or will aid, individuals and families encountered by the Department of Homeland Security at the southern U.S. border."

EFSP recipients have been abusing this program by using funds to transport illegal migrants throughout the country, at the expense of the American taxpayer. This legislation requires any recipient of EFSP funds to certify and ensure that no program funds are used to provide any assistance, whether direct or indirect, to illegal migrants.

To read the full text of the bill click here.