[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 23, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 280--COMMENDING THE OFFICERS AND PERSONNEL OF U.S. 
 CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION FOR THEIR WORK DURING THE CRISIS AT THE 
                            SOUTHERN BORDER

  Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Lee, Mr. Cruz, 
Mr. Sasse, Mr. Hawley, Mr. Tillis, Ms. Ernst, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Kennedy, 
and Mrs. Blackburn) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs:

                              S. Res. 280

       Whereas U.S. Customs and Border Protection (referred to in 
     this preamble as ``CBP'') is charged with protecting the 
     borders of the United States and facilitating travel and 
     trade;
       Whereas the Southern border of the United States is 
     experiencing unprecedented numbers of vulnerable individuals 
     attempting to enter the country;
       Whereas, in June 2019, 104,344 individuals were apprehended 
     at the Southern border, which is an increase of more than 140 
     percent, as compared to June 2018;
       Whereas, as of June 2019, the number of individuals 
     apprehended or determined to be inadmissible by CBP at the 
     Southern border in fiscal year 2019 is 780,638, already 
     surpassing the fiscal year 2014 total of 569,287, which was 
     the highest such number in the preceding 5 years;
       Whereas the Homeland Security Advisory Council expects 
     Southwest border migration numbers to approach or exceed 
     1,000,000 individuals in fiscal year 2019 unless immediate 
     action is taken;
       Whereas, historically, the majority of individuals arriving 
     at the Southern border have been single adult males from 
     Mexico, but by May 2019, 72 percent of all border enforcement 
     actions were associated with unaccompanied children and 
     family units;
       Whereas, due to the constant and increasing flow of 
     migrants crossing the Southern border between ports of entry, 
     financial and human resources are being diverted from the 
     security and law enforcement duties of CBP, resulting in--
       (1) fewer seizures of narcotics and illicit currency; and
       (2) increased wait times at ports of entry, leading to 
     warnings of possible produce shortages and interruptions in 
     supply chains;
       Whereas more than 40 percent of CBP resources are currently 
     being absorbed by the humanitarian crisis at the Southern 
     border;
       Whereas the final emergency interim report published by the 
     Homeland Security Advisory Council on April 16, 2019, notes 
     that a substantial number of individuals who are apprehended 
     by CBP require significant personal and medical care that 
     exceeds the ability and capacity of CBP, despite creative and 
     humane attempts by CBP to care for such individuals in CBP 
     custody;
       Whereas CBP officers and personnel have raised concerns 
     that overcrowding poses immediate risks to--
       (1) the health and safety of the migrants; and
       (2) CBP officers;
       Whereas CBP officers are experiencing both physical illness 
     and severe mental and emotional distress as a result of the 
     crisis at the Southern border;
       Whereas, in May 2019, the Commissioner of CBP requested an 
     additional $2,100,000 for the Employee Assistance Program of 
     CBP in order to offer additional counseling services to CBP 
     officers and personnel to respond to ``unanticipated critical 
     incidents and other emerging crises, such as the unexpected 
     response required for migrant caravans, employee suicides, 
     and the need for a financial wellness program''; and
       Whereas, in the face of the most difficult circumstances, 
     CBP officers and personnel continue--
       (1) to work undaunted to protect the Southern border; and
       (2) to care for the migrants in CBP custody: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the men and women of U.S. Customs and Border 
     Protection, including Border Patrol personnel, Office of 
     Field Operations personnel, Air and Marine Operations 
     personnel, Office of Trade personnel, and all support 
     personnel and their allies for their continued honorable 
     service during the challenging humanitarian crisis at the 
     Southern border; and
       (2) calls on Congress to pass legislation to support U.S. 
     Customs and Border Protection officers and to manage the 
     increasing flow of migrants attempting to enter the United 
     States.

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