[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1132 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1132
Condemning Republican inaction to address comprehensive immigration
reform and border security.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 10, 2024
Mr. Vasquez (for himself, Mr. Ryan, Ms. Spanberger, Ms. Budzinski, Mr.
Horsford, and Ms. Salinas) submitted the following resolution; which
was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Condemning Republican inaction to address comprehensive immigration
reform and border security.
Whereas the immigration system of the United States has not been comprehensively
updated since 1986;
Whereas the right to seek asylum is a central pillar of America's immigration
system and a core value we share as a Nation of immigrants;
Whereas the consequence of our Nation's broken immigration system is continued
disruption in border communities;
Whereas schools, local governments, and States have faced considerable hardships
due to the inability of Congress to pass meaningful immigration reform;
Whereas the Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of
2007 included a pathway to citizenship, funding for border security and
personnel, and reforms to America's visa system and was voted against by
all voting Senate Republicans;
Whereas, in 2013, the ``Gang of Eight'' drafted the bipartisan Border Security,
Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, which
included a pathway to citizenship, the DREAM Act, and additional funding
for Customs and Border Protection and passed the Senate on June 27,
2013, but failed to pass Congress because House of Representatives
Speaker John Boehner did not allow a vote on the House floor;
Whereas H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act passed the House on June 4,
2019, but was blocked by Senate Republicans in the 116th Congress;
Whereas H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act once again passed the House
on March 18, 2021, but was blocked by Senate Republicans in the 117th
Congress;
Whereas Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to bring forth H.R. 16, the American
Dream and Promise Act for a vote in the House despite 166 cosponsors in
the 118th Congress;
Whereas the Biden administration requested emergency appropriations on August
10, 2023, to hire an additional 1,300 border patrol agents; 375
immigration judge teams; 1,600 asylum officers; 1,000 Customs and Border
Protection officers with a focus on counter-fentanyl; and equip
Southwest border ports of entry with new cutting-edge detection
technology;
Whereas the bipartisan Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations
Act was introduced in the Senate in February 2024, which included
$20,000,000,000 to support Customs and Border Protection, $350,000,000
to support unaccompanied minors, funding for 4,338 new asylum officers,
and $424,500,000 to combat fentanyl smuggling along with significant
changes to immigration policy such as establishing a new asylum process,
creation of a new authority to limit entry into the United States, and
an amended process for parole; and
Whereas Senator Mitch McConnell whipped his Republican Party against this
bipartisan deal, Speaker Mike Johnson declared the legislation ``dead on
arrival'' in the House of Representatives before any legislation had
even been introduced, and Congressman Troy Nehls said ``Why would we do
anything to help him?'' in reference to the President when asked about
support for the bill: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) condemns Republican inaction on common-sense solutions
to our Nation's broken immigration system and the challenges
our Nation faces at the border;
(2) acknowledges that the interruption of lives in border
communities and across the Nation is due to Republican's
historical inaction to address our Nation's broken immigration
system;
(3) urges cooperation between Federal, State, and local law
enforcement, governments, and education officials; and
(4) should fully fund resources for the border, including
asylum officers, immigration judges, security personnel, and
technology needs.
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