America’s border crisis is out of control, and it’s impacting all of us whether we realize it or not.
Since Joe Biden took office, there have been more than 6 million illegal encounters at our southern border, and that number continues increasing every single day. It’s not a mystery why the southern border is absolute chaos. Since day one, the Biden administration has dismantled or refused to enforce successful border policies. They have given the green light for illegal immigrants to pour across our border.
I know all of you are well aware of just how bad our border crisis is, and that’s why I have been doing all I can to fight back, hold the administration accountable, and increase border security.
One of the biggest steps House Republicans have taken is passing H.R. 2 – the Secure the Border Act. This bill secures America’s border, ends catch-and-release, and restores us to a nation of law and order. While we are a nation of immigrants, we are also a nation of laws.
By securing the border and enforcing our laws, we can protect Americans from the drugs and crime pouring into our communities. H.R. 2 passed the House in May, and now it’s up to the Senate to do its job and put the safety and security of Americans first.
The House Appropriations Committee, which I am a member of, just passed the annual Homeland Security bill, where we secured some major wins to address the southern border. Not only did we provide funding for construction of a physical wall along the border, but also we increased money for many new Border Patrol Agents, boosting border security technology, and forcing Secretary Mayorkas to follow the law. This bill now has to come to the full House for a vote, then it’s on its way to the Senate.
While we are working hard in the House to pass bills addressing this crisis, we are simultaneously using our oversight and investigative powers to hold the Administration accountable for failing to secure the border and keep our nation safe. Early last year, I joined dozens of my colleagues calling on Secretary Mayorkas to resign over his failure to properly lead the Department of Homeland Security. Secretary Mayorkas is also testifying before the House Judiciary Committee this week, where I expect the committee to get the truth from him and hold him accountable.
Despite the Biden administration’s decisions to dismantle our border security and not enforce our nation’s immigration laws, the House is working around the clock on real solutions to put an end to this crisis and force the Biden administration to do its job. I hope the Senate will act quickly and start passing some of our bills so we can put an end to this crisis.
Jerry Carl represents Alabama’s First Congressional District. He lives in Mobile with his wife Tina.
