Denouncing the Biden Administration's Open-Borders Policies, Condemning the National Security and Public Safety Crisis Along the Southwest Border, and Urging President Biden to End His Administration's Open- Borders Policies
Floor Speech
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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H. Res. 957. We have all seen what is unfolding on our southern border, and the humanitarian and security issues it raises. The complex problems facing our immigration system need comprehensive reform, not more rhetoric and demonization of immigrants.
But rather than working toward real solutions, this week House Republicans are bringing to the floor a partisan resolution condemning the Biden Administration over its supposed ``open border policy.'' Mr. Speaker, there is no ``open border.'' The Biden Administration has worked from its first day to ensure that everyone who arrives to the United States is treated fairly and humanely, while navigating within an outdated and broken immigration system. Congress has failed to pass any meaningful efforts to fix it for three decades.
The fact remains, the United States needs comprehensive immigration reform. Reform that is compassionate, fair, and at times firm. For years, businesses, law enforcement, and faith groups have reiterated the harms of the current immigration system. We do not need more resolutions that do nothing but parrot partisan talking points.
This Congress, Republicans have demonstrated no willingness to engage in finding solutions. In fact, instead of working toward solutions, House Republicans are making the problem worse. The Biden Administration requested additional resources for the border in October of last year, including an additional 1,300 border patrol agents and 375 immigration judges, but Republicans refuse to allow a vote.
And just today, Speaker Johnson was quoted saying ``I don't think now is the time for comprehensive immigration reform.''
If now is not the time for action, when is? If, as this resolution claims, we are in ``the midst of the worst border security crisis in the Nation's history,'' why is this not the time to discuss solutions? Republicans must stop using the immigration system as a political talking point and an election ploy. Congress must immediately take meaningful action to reform a broken immigration system.
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