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[Pages S3808-S3809]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Border Security
Madam President, on one final matter, as I have noted before, my
colleagues on the Appropriations Committee will today begin marking up
a stand-alone funding measure to address the humanitarian crisis on our
southern border.
By now, it can hardly be more obvious that the border crisis is
unacceptable and unsustainable. I think all of us know perfectly well
that immigration is a politically charged subject. Yet, surely, at a
minimum, Congress ought to at least be able to provide these emergency
funds. This is what my Republican colleagues and I have been saying
over and over again for weeks.
Remember, we are talking about money for noncontroversial purposes,
mostly for humanitarian efforts. These are resources so that
authorities can better accommodate the men, women, and children who
have been turning up in record numbers on our southern border--
resources to alleviate the overcrowding in facilities and to lighten
the untenable burden that our overstretched agencies are having to
bear. Whatever the Senate's other disagreements--and there are,
certainly, plenty of them--this funding, for these purposes and in the
midst of this crisis, should be a slam dunk.
I will not repeat here all of the facts and statistics to show why
the status quo is so unsustainable. By now, we all know that the
agencies along our border are running on fumes.
The Acting Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection has said:
We are at a full-blown emergency . . . The system is
broken.
The Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement put it
this way:
We are begging. We are asking Congress to please help us.
As I have noted several times, even the New York Times' editorial
board has seen fit to side with the Trump administration on this issue.
One of its two editorials on this subject was headlined: ``Congress,
Give Trump His Border Money.''
It has now been 50 days since President Trump submitted a request for
[[Page S3809]]
emergency aid for badly overstretched agencies. In that time, partisan
resistance has blocked progress. At least one House Democrat from a
border State has publicly admitted that the left flank inside his own
caucus has been the obstacle here. Yet, here in the Senate, I think
many of us, Republicans and Democrats alike, hope and expect that we
can do better than that. This body can take the lead, set a better
standard, and deliver a clear message.
If the Appropriations Committee can approve this legislation today
across party lines, it will be a big sign of progress. A big bipartisan
vote will be a big step toward the Senate's forging a real consensus,
where House Democrats have failed, and finally getting this urgently
needed funding moving.
I am grateful to Chairman Shelby and Ranking Member Leahy for finding
common ground and generating this progress.
I urge my fellow committee members on the Democratic side to finally
put partisanship aside and vote to advance the kind of targeted,
bipartisan solution that this crisis has needed for weeks.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois.
Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in
morning business.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. DURBIN. I will yield when the minority leader, Senator Schumer,
comes to the floor.
