Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), top Republican on the House Appropriations Homeland Security subcommittee, and Congresswoman Kay Granger (TX-12), top Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, expressed their opposition to the FY20 House Appropriations Homeland Security funding bill:
Rep. Fleischmann said, “This bill presented an opportunity to address our border security crisis in a bipartisan way. However, the necessary topline funding levels are sadly absent, and it is unfortunate that partisan priorities prevailed over practical solutions, like my amendment to offer full funding for the border wall.
“As migrants continue to flood across our southern border, it’s a step in the wrong direction to cut humanitarian aid – slashing detention beds by the thousands and limiting the resources available to border security personnel.
As it stands, our border patrol officers are spread too thin and detention centers are inundated. Additionally, this bill fails to provide any funding for a key component of a multi-faceted border security solution – the border wall – and rescinds over $600 million in previous funds. While some critical missions receive the funding they need, this glaring failure to secure our border cannot be overlooked. We can, and must, do better.”
Rep. Granger said, “In May alone, more than 144,000 individuals were apprehended at our southern border. We are facing an unprecedented crisis, and the agencies on the front lines do not have the appropriate resources to address the situation.
“The bill marked up in Committee today falls far below the Administration’s request, and it does not provide the funds needed to both provide humanitarian aid and secure the border. We must put partisanship aside – the safety of the American people and those seeking entry into our country is at stake.
“I urge Committee Democrats to join our efforts to address the humanitarian and security crisis at hand by immediately passing a desperately-needed emergency supplemental bill and fully funding the Department’s request for fiscal year 2020.”
Congressman Fleischmann’s opening statement can be found here: