Chairman Green, Homeland Security Republicans Introduce the Border Reinforcement Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN), joined by every Republican member of the Homeland Security Committee, introduced the Border Reinforcement Act of 2023. This legislation ensures U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), along with state and local law enforcement, have the tools needed to respond to this record-breaking border crisis created by President Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ refusal to enforce our laws and secure our sovereign borders.

“Following over five million illegal encounters at our Southwest border, a worsening crisis at our Northern and Maritime borders, and the record number of lives lost to fentanyl poisoning across the country, it is clear this administration does not have the operational control it claims. Today, this Committee introduced real border security solutions crafted with the insight of those who pay the cost of this crisis every day: frontline Border Patrol agents, their families, local business owners, state and local law enforcement, as well as farmers and ranchers,” said Chairman Green. “This legislation demands transparency from DHS and ensures CBP and border states have the infrastructure, personnel, and technology needed to take back control of our sovereign borders. It’s time to put the cartels in their place and put the protection of our communities first. This border crisis is one of the greatest security threats facing the American people. Republicans on the Homeland Security Committee won’t stand by and let it continue. It is critical that we deliver on our Commitment to America by passing the Border Reinforcement Act of 2023—there is far too much at stake to not get this right.”

“Texans understand that the security of our border is not just a pie-in-the-sky talking point, it is quite literally life and death,” said Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Subcommittee Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX). “I’m proud to have co-authored this plan that delivers on our promise to secure the border. Let’s build the wall, hire more border patrol officers, and finally understand who and what is crossing our border.”

“As chairman emeritus of this committee and a former federal prosecutor tasked with securing the Texas border, one thing is clear to me: The border has never been so out-of-control,”  said Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX). “President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas have abdicated their duty to protect the homeland. Thankfully, the American people entrusted House Republicans to pick up the administration’s slack. Today we are delivering on our promises by introducing this practical border legislation, drafted alongside those who know best — our outstanding border patrol officers.”

Background:

This legislation was developed with the firsthand insight gathered during the Committee’s border trips to El Paso, Texas, hearings, including a field hearing in Pharr, Texas with U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz, and conversations with numerous Border Patrol agents, border communities, and everyday Americans.

The Border Reinforcement Act of 2023 directs DHS to secure our borders by: 

• Resuming Border Wall Construction
  • Requiring the DHS Secretary to immediately resume construction of the border wall.
• Bolstering CBP Staffing
  • Mandating hiring to meet the need of 22,000 Border Patrol agents.
• Modernizing & Enhancing Technology
  • Requiring CBP to develop a technology investment plan, while upgrading existing technology to ensure CBP personnel are equipped with the necessary resources to remain safe in the field.
• Demanding Transparency from DHS
  • Requiring DHS to disclose to Congress and make public all monthly data, including monthly known gotaway numbers, which are currently not public, on or before the 7th day of each month.
• Addressing Border Patrol Retention
  • Establishing retention bonuses for U.S. Border Patrol personnel who meet certain requirements to keep them protecting our country.
• Supporting Local Law Enforcement
  • Providing increased support through Operation Stonegarden grants to local law enforcement jurisdictions in land and maritime border states to enhance border security measures.
• Limiting Use of CBP One App
  • Reinstating the CBP One app’s function to its original intent by barring DHS from using it for non-commercial purposes, including immigration processing.

Read Chairman Green’s op-ed in in The New York Post here. For the full bill text, click here. For a factsheet in English, click here. For a factsheet in Spanish, click here.