Austin News

On November 29, 2023, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) delivered remarks on the floor of the Senate, emphasizing the urgent need for substantive policy changes to address the ongoing crisis at the southern border. Senator Cornyn's comments came after a key international bridge in Eagle Pass was closed to allow Customs and Border Patrol officers to handle another influx of migrants.

In his speech, Senator Cornyn highlighted the longstanding challenges posed by illegal immigration and drug smuggling along the 1,200-mile border with Mexico. He expressed frustration with the lack of action and cooperation from the Biden administration and the Senate majority in addressing these issues:

"We have been met with complete intransigence by the Biden administration and by the majority here in the Senate when it comes to solving some of these problems."

Senator Cornyn made it clear that further funding for the border crisis would not be approved without meaningful policy changes:

"Enough is enough. We're not going to proceed to this emergency supplemental that the President has asked for unless and until policy changes are made."

The impact of the border crisis on local communities was also brought to attention. Senator Cornyn quoted Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, who stated that the closure of a bridge due to the influx of migrants had resulted in a loss of at least $500,000 for the City of Eagle Pass. Senator Cornyn emphasized that the overwhelming pressure on bridges and ports of entry was hindering legitimate trade and commerce:

"The benefits of that trade and legitimate commerce are being denied because resources at our bridges and ports of entry are being overwhelmed."

Despite the challenges, Senator Cornyn remained optimistic about the opportunity to enact effective policy changes to address the flow of illegal migration across the border:

"We're not going to miss this opportunity to get true policy changes which help stem the flow of illegal migration across the border."

Senator Cornyn also criticized Secretary Mayorkas, the Secretary of Homeland Security, for his handling of the border crisis:

"Secretary Mayorkas, who's been an absolute, unmitigated disaster as Secretary of Homeland Security... continues to show up, testify under oath, and to lie when he says the border is secure. Anybody with eyes in their head can tell that that's not true."

In conclusion, Senator Cornyn made it clear that he and his colleagues would not support any supplemental appropriation bill for the border crisis unless acceptable provisions were made to change the policies currently in place:

"We're not going anywhere on this supplemental appropriation bill until and unless acceptable provisions are made to change the policies that currently implement the Biden Border Crisis and to staunch the flow of drugs and people across the border."

The border crisis remains a pressing issue, and Senator Cornyn's remarks highlight the urgent need for bipartisan action and policy changes to address the challenges faced at the southern border.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/video-cornyn-on-the-biden-border-crisis-enough-is-enough/