Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 240, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act (DHS), to aggressively tighten national security, combat terrorism, and block President Obama’s executive order granting legal status to over 5 million people living in the U.S. illegally.
In voting for the measure, Congressman Steve Pearce (R.-N.M.) released the following statement:
“Today, the House sent a clear message to the President. Americans want a safe country and a secure border. This Homeland Security spending bill strengthens national security with targeted funding for border agents and allocates additional sums for bolstered fencing, technology and constant air, land and sea surveillance,” Pearce said.
“At the same time, we are delivering on our promise to check President Obama’s unconstitutional executive order granting legal status to at least 5 million people. Since the order was announced, Americans have demanded that Congress check the President’s abuse of his authority. This Congress promised to respond quickly and we’re doing so today.
“Neither the American people nor I favor amnesty. This order cannot be allowed to stand. Under the constitution, only Congress can enact new law. Even the president has admitted this fact more than 20 times. He only has the authority to faithfully execute the law, enacted by the will of the people through Congress.
The president must know the Rule of Law applies to him. This bill does that and it cuts off any funds from being used to carry out his go-it alone order,” Pearce added.
Highlights of the underlying bill include:
· Prioritizes funding for border security with additional funds to prevent cuts to border patrol agents, provides additional funds for border fencing, infrastructure and technology, and maintains constant air, sea, and land surveillance.
· Increases funding for immigration enforcement to address the surge of unaccompanied children crossing the border with additional staffing and detention beds.
· Deters future illegal migration, facilitates removal, fully funds E-Verify, and combats human trafficking, drug smuggling, and gang activity.