[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 20 (Monday, February 5, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IMMIGRATION PLAN WOULD DO IRREPARABLE HARM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, last night, the Senate 
released the text of legislation that would do irreparable harm to our 
border security.
  By announcing a plan that permits thousands of illegal immigrants to 
enter the United States and creates new avenues for asylum, this is a 
bill that will only make our Nation more dangerous.
  Incentivizing more illegal immigration will not address the crisis 
that has been created in border communities like Eagle Pass, Texas, or 
major cities like New York, where schools have been forced to close in 
order to house undocumented migrants.
  Since Joe Biden took office, there have been more than 8 million 
illegal border crossings and 1.7 million known got-aways that have 
evaded our Border Patrol agents.
  This massive surge has led to Border Patrol agents being forced to 
suspend vehicle inspections and patrols in order to handle the influx, 
leading to more opportunities for cartels to bring dangerous drugs like 
heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States.
  It is clear that these issues are not being addressed by Homeland 
Security Secretary Mayorkas and that his policies have contributed to a 
national security crisis.
  Despite clear evidence that his refusal to comply with the law has 
led to unprecedented levels of illegal immigration, Secretary Mayorkas 
has implemented a catch-and-release scheme, violating detention 
requirements and misusing parole authority.
  It is clear that the House must act to impeach Secretary Mayorkas and 
finally hold the Biden administration accountable for putting American 
lives at risk by allowing an open southern border.


         Stop Playing Politics with Strategic Petroleum Reserve

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, during his first year in 
office, President Biden canceled the Keystone XL pipeline, a decision 
that caused oil prices to rise and cost over 16,000 American jobs.
  This decision was only the beginning of a sustained attack on 
American energy producers that the Biden administration has continued 
to carry out each and every day.
  During his time in office, President Biden has ordered our Strategic 
Petroleum Reserve drained by over 40 percent. This reserve is meant to 
be used in case of a national security crisis, not to score cheap 
political points ahead of an election.
  It is time to stop playing politics with our Nation's energy.
  This week, the House will vote on H. Res. 987, which condemns the 
harmful and anti-American energy policies that have become the hallmark 
of Joe Biden's Presidency.
  It is time to put an end to the failed energy policies that have led 
to higher prices at the gas pump across the entire United States.
  It is time for Joe Biden to focus on returning to American energy 
dominance instead of continuing to dismantle our energy 
infrastructure--an infrastructure that is so vital to the strength of 
America.

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