“The choice is simple. Fund law enforcement or block it. Fund border security or block it. The American people are watching. They will remember who voted to protect law abiding American citizens, and who voted to protect illegal immigrant criminals.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today outlined how Senate Republicans are working to fully fund ICE and Border Patrol through the budget reconciliation process.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.

Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:

“Let me begin with a message to the brave men and women of ICE and Border Patrol. Republicans honor your unwavering service and sacrifice. You know that Democrats, through their words and actions, do not.

“Many of you are veterans. Many of you have families at home. You are the professionals who secure our nation’s borders. You are the heroes who risk your lives to keep our communities safe.

“Democrats have said you are the problem. You are not the problem. Defund-the-Police Democrats are. Democrat Representative Ocasio Cortez of New York has said you are a ‘rogue agency.’ Senator Schumer of New York has echoed those words yesterday. You are not a rogue agency. Today’s Democrats are a rogue and radical party. You deserve better than reckless Democrat hostage-taking. You deserve the tools and support from Congress necessary to carry out the mission Congress has given you. Our country depends on you. Republicans are going to deliver for you.

“That’s what this debate today is about.

“Immigration and Customs Enforcement must be funded fully and immediately. The United States Border Patrol must be funded fully and immediately. It’s common sense. These agencies keep America safe every single day. If Congress does not act quickly, they will run out of money very soon – perhaps in a matter of weeks. That would make our country less safe.

“Senate Republicans are united and committed to keeping America safe and secure. Republicans will use the budget reconciliation process to do so. This means we can fund American law enforcement without relying on a single Democrat vote. Democrats have turned into the party of Defund the Police.

“Let me tell you about the Republican plan to protect our communities. Our plan provides more than $70 billion of funding for immigration enforcement and border security. It secures that funding not for one year, not for two years, but for the next three years. The Republican plan means stronger law enforcement and safer communities. It also represents a commitment to the dedicated professionals of ICE and Border Patrol. We will continue to support them – just as they continue to protect us.

“This is funding Democrats once agreed to. Now, they have walked away from it. Democrats have blocked funding for the Department of Homeland Security not once, not twice, but sixteen times. Why? Because Democrats are playing to the most radical members of their party. Through their actions, Democrats are putting the safety and security of our nation behind the safety and security of their political careers.

“Democrats have blocked funding for Border Patrol. This is the agency that stops criminals, drug traffickers, human traffickers, and terror suspects from entering our country illegally. Democrats would love to defund them permanently.

“Democrats have also blocked funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This is the agency that removes illegal immigrant criminals from our communities. The American people support removing illegal immigrant criminals. Democrats clearly do not. Democrats care more about protecting illegal immigrant criminals than protecting law-abiding American citizens.

“Democrats want to take our country backwards. Backwards to the bad days when they were in the majority and our southern border was wide open. Backwards to the days where illegal immigrant criminals roamed freely in our communities. That is an insult to families of Laken Riley, Sheridan Gorman, and all the innocent Americans who were murdered by illegal immigrant criminals.

“The budget resolution we are debating is part of a larger Republican effort to keep America safe. The last administration threw the border wide open. More than 10 million illegal immigrants flooded in. Under President Trump and Republicans, the border is now secure, and law enforcement is being restored.

“Last year, Republicans passed the most comprehensive border security investment in American history. Nearly $165 billion. It is part of the Working Families Tax Cuts law. The results speak for themselves. Zero illegal immigrants have been released into our country for nearly a year. The Republican budget resolution builds on this success.

“To my Democrat colleagues who call for reforming ICE, let me say this directly on the Floor of the United States Senate. You rejected every single opportunity for common sense, cooperation, and compromise. Republicans offered body cameras for agents. Democrats voted no. Republicans offered more oversight. Democrats voted no. Republicans offered more training for agents. Democrats voted no. Reform – no matter how reasonable – was never the point for Democrats. The point has always been to abolish ICE, abolish Border Patrol, and return to open borders. Today’s Democrat Party owns that shameful record. They can run from it, but they cannot hide.

“The Senate has a duty to protect the American people. The choice is simple. Fund law enforcement or block it. Fund border security or block it. The American people are watching. They will remember who voted to protect law abiding American citizens, and who voted to protect illegal immigrant criminals.

“Republicans are ready to stand and vote for the safety and security of the American people.”

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