[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 25, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H3901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CODEL TO BRAZIL, COLOMBIA, AND PANAMA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Nickel) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. NICKEL. Mr. Speaker, I recently had the chance to travel with a 
bipartisan group of Members of the House of Representatives to Brazil, 
Colombia, and Panama.
  During our trip, we discussed important issues like immigration, 
counterterrorism, trade, and national security.
  In Brazil, I learned about the increasing presence of the Chinese 
Communist Party from local law enforcement officials.
  In Colombia, we discussed efforts to combat illegal drug trafficking. 
We met with leading officials on the longstanding, bilateral 
relationship between the United States and Colombia.
  In Panama, I saw firsthand the challenging conditions faced by 
migrants attempting to travel to the United States and live their 
American Dream here. I have empathy for the people I met, and this 
experience reinforced the importance of addressing immigration with 
compassion and respect.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States is a shining beacon of democracy, and 
I am not surprised that people from all over the world want to come 
here. We need to ensure that our borders are secure, that the American 
people are safe, and migrants are treated with dignity and fairness.
  This was an eye-opening experience that affirmed the need for strong, 
smart, and strategic policies that advance our national interests, our 
values abroad, and protect our homeland and democracy.
  We also must diligently combat the Chinese Communist Party's 
increasing presence in the region.
  I will continue to closely monitor developments in this area and work 
toward a pragmatic approach to foreign policy that puts America's 
security first.
  Finally, we must take up and pass comprehensive immigration reform. I 
am eternally optimistic that we can get something done in this 
Congress.
  At the end of the day, addressing the situation at the border and 
taking up comprehensive immigration reform should not be a Democrat or 
Republican issue. The American people deserve more than politics as 
usual, and the time for action is now.
  Let's work together, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as 
Americans to secure our border and advance comprehensive immigration 
reform.

                          ____________________