Tonight, I voted against the remainder of the FY 2019 spending package and here's why. Earlier this week, I met with agents from the National Border Patrol Council and asked them: 'how can we improve security at both our northern and southern borders?' We proceeded to have an insightful conversation about improving our technological capabilities as well as increasing physical barriers at the border. Our conversation then focused on manpower. When agents from Michigan and the southern border, come to my office and say we need more people to help enforce the law, Congress has a responsibility to listen. Unfortunately this legislation fails to deliver upon that urgent need. While there are provisions and programs like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative that I support in this package, I believe this legislation falls short on the critical elements of properly funding and securing our border.
The President has indicated he will be declaring a national emergency when he signs this legislation into law. Mr. President, I urge caution. Congress should be the lead actor on funding border security. There are serious constitutional questions that immediately arise surrounding a declaration of national emergency that must be answered. We need to see the details of the President's anticipated declaration.
Posted by Rep. Bill Huizenga on February 14, 2019
