Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2024
Floor Speech
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Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Chair, I rise to offer an amendment to this appropriations for Homeland Security where we would include H. Res. 50, which affirms every sovereign State's right to self-defense.
In the face of this unprecedented and unmitigated humanitarian and security crisis, States do not have to be a passive victim of a failed Federal Government.
The Federal Government has failed because our Commander in Chief has failed to do his first and most important job, provide for the common defense. He has also failed to uphold the laws of the land. In fact, title 8 of the U.S. Code says that no other citizen can induce people to break the law, says that you can't harbor people who have broken the law. In fact, it goes on to say that if you are doing that, you are aiding and abetting lawbreaking.
I believe this administration has aided and abetted what I believe is an invasion by drug cartels pushing their poison into our country, my State, and our communities, killing our family and friends at hundreds per day. It is the leading cause of death in this country.
We have a President and a Homeland Security Secretary with the audacity to say that this border is under operational control of the Department of Homeland Security of these great United States.
Baloney. Nobody believes it.
I just got back from Eagle Pass. The chaos and lawlessness have never burned hotter. The people of those border towns have never felt more abandoned.
It is shameful that a country as great as the United States of America would surrender control of our border to paramilitary terrorist cartels.
Here is the good news. Here is the saving grace for Texas and every State in this country. They have the constitutional power of self- defense, and it is explicit and crystal clear in the Constitution.
The Federal Government didn't create the States. The sovereign States created the Federal Government. They made darn sure that in a situation like this, when the Federal Government failed in its obligation to repel an invasion, they would maintain the authority to defend their border and their citizens from this chaos and the criminal elements that are just deluging our great Lone Star State.
Article IV, Section 4, is the obligation of the Federal Government to repel an invasion for each and every State. Article I, Section 10, is clear: If there is an actual invasion or there is imminent danger such that will not permit delay.
Now, I want my Democrat colleagues to explain to me why the current conditions at the southern border, on account of this administration's failures, is not imminent danger to the citizens of Texas such that will not permit delay.
I stand with Governor Abbott and State leaders all along the southern border and everywhere in this country. Stand up, fill the gap, enforce the laws, deport, detain, secure the border, and for God's sake, protect the citizens of Texas and all the good people of this country and restore law and order.
We welcome the immigrant who wants a better life. We welcome the immigrant who wants a better future for their family, but we will only welcome those who respect our laws, our sovereignty, and the safety of the American people.
That is where I stand, Mr. Chair, and I can do no other, say no other. I am going to stand on that until we get a change up here in Washington or we have all resources deployed to do the job the Federal Government just apparently will not do on account, I believe, of a President who would rather placate and appease a fringe group in his party than prioritize the safety of the American people.
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Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.
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Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Chair, I love Henry Cuellar, and I couldn't disagree more. More is said than done in this town. Ain't nothing getting done on the border.
Texas, do your job. The Constitution is behind you, and so am I. God bless, and go, West Texas.
I yield back the balance of my time.
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