WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI), House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) and 62 of their colleagues introduced a resolution to show their support for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The Representatives introduced this resolution after several Democrats called to defund DHS earlier this month.
Joining Reps. McClain and Scalise in introducing the resolution are Reps. Jim Banks (R-IN), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), John Katko (R-NY), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Dan Bishop (R-NC) ,Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kat Cammack (R-FL), Madison Cawthorn (R-NC), Michael Cloud (R-TX), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Mike Garcia (R-CA), Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Bob Good (R-VA), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Yvette Herrell (R-NM), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Mary Miller (R-IL), Marianette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Barry Moore (R-AL), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Burgess Owens (R-UT), Steven Palazzo (R-MS), Maria Salazar (R-FL), Greg Steube (R-FL), Michelle Steel (R-CA) David Valadao (R-CA), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Randy Weber (R-TX), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Jody Hice (R-GA), Brian Mast (R-FL), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Bill Huizenga (R-MI) Jack Bergman (R-MI), Fred Upton (R-MI), Neal Dunn (R-FL) Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Michael Guest (R-MS), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), David Joyce (R-OH), Mike Bost (R-IL), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Chris Stewart (R-UT), Ken Buck (R-CO), Billy Long (R-MO), John Rutherford (R-FL), Michael Burgess (R-TX), Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Ashley Hinson (R-IA).
“Now, more than ever, the brave men and women of the entire Department of Homeland Security deserve our thanks and gratitude. As they deal with the impact of President Biden’s disastrous immigration policies, they deserve to be praised, not defunded,” said Rep. McClain. “Any calls by elected officials to defund the department and its components are irresponsible and dangerous. Without DHS, our country and the entire world would be less safe.”
“The brave men and women at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) work incredible hours guarding our nation’s border. At a time when tens of thousands of migrants and drugs are illegally entering our country, it’s disturbing to see Speaker Pelosi's far-left allies advocate for defunding DHS, ICE, and CPB,” said House Republican Whip Steve Scalise. “I am proud to support Congresswoman McClain’s resolution because House Republicans will always stand with our Border Patrol agents and those who honorably keep the American people safe. President Biden must stand up to the extremists within his own party and condemn all efforts to defund law enforcement agencies that prioritize securing the border.”
“Our country is facing a crisis at the southern border and a nationwide crime crisis, and yet several of my House Democratic colleagues continue to call to defund DHS, ICE, and CBP officers who are on the frontlines,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. “As President Biden and House Democrats continue to ignore these crises, House Republicans will always show our support for and provide essential resources to those who work tirelessly at our borders to protect our country.”
“It’s no secret that we face a serious crisis at our border that is getting worse by the day,” said Rep. Upton. “To address the surge in migration we’ve witnessed the last several months, our border patrol agents need to be supported - not defunded - so that they can continue to do their jobs. Like our police, I will continue to vote to provide ICE, CBP, and DHS with the resources they need to protect our communities and secure our border.”
“Apparently efforts to “defund the police” didn’t go far enough, because now some in Congress are doubling down and pushing to defund and abolish the entire Department of Homeland Security along with its key immigration enforcement agencies. With illegal immigration and crime rates soaring across the country, this is beyond idiotic - it’s irresponsible and dangerous,” said Rep. Buchanan.
"I've seen the southern border firsthand many times, and it's absolutely appalling that the Squad and the radical Left are turning their insane 'defund the police' rhetoric against DHS, CBP, and ICE,” said Congressman Hice. “No border enforcement means no border — and that's the true aim for many extremist Democrats today. I'm proud to stand with my colleagues in supporting the brave men and women defending America on the front lines of the Biden Border Crisis."
“Those who selflessly serve our country in the Department of Homeland Security deserve our support. The calls by some to defund the critical programs housed under this department are deeply troubling. We are a nation of laws, and we need organizations like ICE and CBP to enforce these laws and keep people safe. I will always proudly support our law enforcement,” said Rep. Steel.
“It’s unconscionable that our colleagues across the aisle continue to call for the defunding of DHS, CBP, and ICE amid the global pandemic and ongoing border crisis at our southern border,” said Rep. Cammack. “Our country is one of the safest in the world thanks to these essential organizations whose men and women work hard every day to provide essential protection. To strip them of funding for simply doing their jobs is dangerous, harmful rhetoric and does nothing to protect our nation from daily threats.”
“It is absolutely outrageous that Democrats in Congress have suggested the U.S. Government defund the Department of Homeland Security and immigration agencies, particularly at a time when our southern border is being overrun by illegal border crossings, human traffickers and drug cartels,” said Congresswoman Malliotakis. “These agencies are critical in protecting our nation from those who seek to do Americans harm, including individuals on the FBI’s terrorist watch list that were just apprehended attempting to cross our border illegally. This inflammatory rhetoric does nothing but put Americans at risk. We’re going to do everything in our power to support our law enforcement officers and policies that keep our constituents safe.”
“Despite left-wing politicians’ daily attacks and efforts to defund them, the federal agents at CBP and ICE continue to faithfully and courageously carry out their duties to serve and protect our homeland. The brave men and women at the Department of Homeland Security deserve our thanks and support,” said Rep. Herrell.
“With illegal immigration reaching record levels, the calls from some of my Congressional colleagues to defund DHS is wildly irresponsible. Now more than ever, the men and women who selflessly serve deserve our support,” said Rep. Norman. “I could not be prouder to join this resolution. No matter the jurisdiction, I will always back America’s law enforcement officers.”
The Department of Homeland Security, founded in the wake of the September 11th terror attacks, protects our homeland from all threats foreign and domestic.
ICE officers and agents protect U.S. citizens from illegal immigration and enforce our immigration laws within our country. On an average day, ICE seizes 4,000 pounds of narcotics, $4.93 million in illicit currency and assets and manages 3.26 million immigration cases.
CBP defends and maintains our borders, prevents criminals from entering our country illegally and filters through contraband, such as illegal drugs and firearms, being transported over the border and into our country. On an average day, CBP processes more than 650,000 passengers and pedestrians, conducts $216 million in duties and taxes on imports and seizes $3.6 million worth of products with Intellectual Property Rights violations.
For text of the resolution, click here.
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