[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 16, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H614-H615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            BORDER SECURITY

  (Mr. WILLIAMS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. WILLIAMS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the 
crisis on the southern border. I stand with the President and my 
colleagues in the House and Senate in their calls for securing our 
southern border.
  As the former secretary of state of Texas, I was the chief liaison 
for the Texas Border and Mexican Affairs. My experience in that role 
taught me that our border was vulnerable, and, sadly, that remains true 
today.
  While I was Texas' secretary of state and now as the representative 
for Texas' 25th District, I am encouraged by all that our Border Patrol 
and Federal law enforcement agents do to protect this great Nation. 
However, I am disappointed that my colleagues on the other side of the 
aisle have abandoned reason and asked these patriots to do more with 
less.

[[Page H615]]

  The Federal Government should provide all resources necessary to 
secure our border, not make it more vulnerable. Our agents need more 
boots on the ground, more advanced technology, and, ultimately, a 
barrier to keep those who may not want to do the right thing out.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to 
come back to the table, negotiate in good faith, reopen our government, 
and protect the sovereignty of the United States of America.
  In God We Trust.

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