Providing for Consideration of H.R. Department of Defense Appropriations Act, Providing for Consideration of H.R. Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, Providing for Consideration of H.R. Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, and Providing for Consideration of H.R. Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024

Floor Speech

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Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I thank the members of the Rules Committee who put in so many hours over the past several days to prepare what is an unprecedented rule, in my experience. It is important for moving us forward.

To the members of the Rules Committee who put in the long hours this weekend, I certainly want to thank the members of that committee and the staff for working so hard. We are going to get this underlying legislation to the floor. It is important.

You are hearing a lot about the border this evening for a reason. A lot of us have studied the problems at the border for several years, but I will just tell you, it has never been this bad, and people see that. We are constantly asked at home: Why can't you do something about that?

Mr. Roy is exactly right. We did pass a very significant policy bill, H.R. 2, earlier this year, but it does no good to continue to fund it if the administration is not going to enforce the law--even the current law--but enforce the law, which is essentially the will of the Congress.

What we are doing here today is critical. We are fulfilling our obligation to our constituents and the American people. We are going to fund the government in a responsible and fiscally sound manner, as opposed to this business of usual stuff that has been going on for several years where Congress is expected to rubberstamp what comes over from the Senate or rubberstamp what is asked for by the President.

Our duty extends far beyond what is happening just today. The next generation and the next generation after that, our future, the country's future depends on us standing strong at this moment and ensuring that the funds of the American taxpayer are wisely spent.

This administration's track record has failed on so many levels-- failed my constituents, failed your constituents, Madam Speaker, the people of Texas, and the migrants who have lost their lives on this dangerous journey to cross our border.

Madam Speaker, this administration is not only complicit, but bears the sole responsibility for this humanitarian crisis that is unfolding before our very eyes.

The Biden administration's failure to enforce our laws, their shameful handcuffing of our courageous Border Patrol agents from effectively safeguarding our borders has allowed the southern border to fall from anarchy into a calamity.

Madam Speaker, our work here today signifies our crucial mission to rectify past errors and steer our Nation back on the path of fiscal responsibility. People need to know that we recognize our solemn duty to correct course and restore fiscal sanity, not only for our sake but for the sake of those who will come after.

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