President Biden’s border crisis isn’t just a slick slogan; it’s a national security crisis that threatens the sovereignty of our nation, the wellbeing of our families, and the safety of our communities. Since the beginning of the Biden Administration, more than five million illegal immigrants have crossed our southern border, with 1.3 million evading apprehension by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Even more alarming, over 170 people who are registered on the terrorist watch list have been stopped attempting to cross the border and more than 14,000 pounds of deadly fentanyl — which has flooded our communities and stolen precious lives — have been apprehended by law enforcement. The facts are clear. Our border crisis is real, and it requires real solutions.
In our Commitment to America, House Republicans promised that we would counter President Biden’s border crisis with serious proposals to protect our families. I’m proud to say that we delivered on that promise by passing our Secure the Border Act, which is the strongest border security legislation in recent memory. It keeps fentanyl out of our communities, maintains Title 42, fully funds our border patrol agents, holds drug traffickers accountable for their crimes, and finishes construction on the border wall. While President Biden’s open-border policies project weakness, Republicans will continue to offer solutions that project strength and finally secure the border.
I also remain committed to passing Sarah’s Law — which I’ve introduced with Senator Joni Ernst — in honor of Sarah Root, a 21-year-old Iowan who was killed by an illegal immigrant who was driving while drunk. This legislation closes a glaring loophole in federal law that allowed Sarah’s murderer to post bond and be released from jail – never to be seen again. It is absolutely unacceptable that Sarah’s murderer never faced the consequences of his actions and heartbreaking that Sarah’s family has yet to receive justice. To protect our children and families, Sarah’s Law will ensure that any illegal immigrant who kills or harms an American citizen receives the swift punishment that they deserve. No family should have to endure the agony and pain that the Root family has experienced daily. Congress must pass Sarah’s Law without delay.
The United States is a nation of laws and it’s past time that President Biden enforce our border laws. As a strong advocate for border security, I will continue to work with my colleagues to end this border crisis and protect our families because Iowans and Americans nationwide deserve safe communities and a secure border — period.
We are government together, and your thoughts and opinions matter to me. Please contact my office at Feenstra.House.Gov or by phone at 202-225-4426 if I can ever be of assistance. I am proud to represent our families, farmers, main street businesses, and rural communities in Congress.
