North Austin News

The Secure the Border Act includes his provisions to assess reimbursing border states and compel the admin to bring back Remain in Mexico.

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and chairman emeritus and current member of the House Committee on Homeland Security — released the following statement after voting for the Secure the Border Act of 2023.

“House Republicans’ passage of the Secure the Border Act is a victory for all Americans — especially those living on the frontlines of this crisis in states like Texas. For two years, we have seen migrant encounters, drug trafficking, and cartel activity skyrocket due to the Biden administration’s failed open-border policies. This bill would finally put a stop to the chaos. It’s time Senate Democrats, President Biden, and Secretary Mayorkas joined the effort; our nation’s strength, security, and success depend on it.”

Background:

The bill includes a McCaul provision that would require the Government Office of Accountability (GAO) to conduct a study on the costs incurred by states like Texas to secure the southern border in the absence of the federal government, as well as the feasibility of a program to reimburse those states.

“Border security is the responsibility of the federal government. But the Biden administration has abdicated its duty to protect the homeland, leaving southwest border states like Texas to pick up the slack. It’s long past time we brought the sacrifices of these states to light and helped ease the burden placed on them.”

As chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rep. McCaul also wrote and championed a significant portion of the bill that passed through his committee and would direct the administration to bring back Remain in Mexico — a policy from the previous administration that successfully worked to keep migrants in Mexico while awaiting their asylum hearings.

“The very first bill I introduced in Congress was to end catch and release; that was 20 years ago. It’s frustrating that after two decades, we are still dealing with this issue, and bringing back Remain in Mexico would be a large step toward fixing it. I am proud of my committee’s contribution to this legislation and House Republicans’ efforts to bring back order and keep our families safe.”

Original source can be found here.