[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 37 (Thursday, February 29, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H748-H749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            BORDER SECURITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Langworthy) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LANGWORTHY. Madam Speaker, the American people are sick and tired 
of the new status quo at our Nation's borders.
  I am absolutely appalled and disgusted that President Biden and 
Democrats running sanctuary cities have yet to take any real action 
after the recent violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants; 
namely, the murder of Laken Riley in Georgia.
  We must take action now to end the reckless open border and sanctuary 
city policies before it is too late for another American family. Laken 
Riley's murder was entirely preventable.
  Jose Ibarra entered the United States illegally last year, and he was 
given a one-way ticket to New York City where he was subsequently 
arrested for child endangerment, but, then, because of liberal bail 
reform laws in New York, he was released back out on the streets and 
not held behind bars.
  New York's bail reform has shattered lives not just in New York, but 
now in the State of Georgia. Moreover, now the mayor of Athens wants to 
gaslight the American people and claim that there is no connection 
between illegal immigration and this heinous crime.
  In less than 1 week, there have been four vicious attacks against 
innocent young Americans, all committed by illegal immigrants. This is 
simply madness. It is sickening, and it has to end now. President Biden 
has the power to secure the border by executive action, and Governor 
Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams can end New York's sanctuary policies with 
the stroke of a pen.
  Laken Riley and these other innocent Americans deserved so much 
better from their government. We cannot allow another moment to pass 
before this border is closed and closed for good.
  Mr. President, we must act now.


                        Student Loan Forgiveness

  Mr. LANGWORTHY. Madam Speaker, President Biden recently announced 
another $1.2 billion in inflationary student loan forgiveness, further 
pursuing a reckless policy that only incentivizes

[[Page H749]]

universities to continue to raise costs which are already out of 
control.
  What is particularly troubling is that this burden is being shifted 
onto the shoulders of hardworking Americans who may not have had the 
opportunity to pursue higher education for themselves or they 
consciously opted against doing so.
  This policy only adds more financial burden to families as Americans 
already struggle to keep up with the staggering cost of inflation. 
Instead of offering meaningful relief, it adds yet another layer of 
economic hardship, further challenging the financial stability of 
countless households across our great Nation.
  It is simple. If you take out a loan for your education, then you 
commit to paying it back. It is a simple equation. Biden's student loan 
redistribution scam is a slap in the face to every American who built 
their career without attending college or attending a trade school or 
those who worked to pay off the student loans that they took out, the 
notes that they signed.
  As Representatives of the American people, it is our duty to advocate 
for policies that help our economy and allow individuals to pursue the 
American Dream, not ones that perpetuate dependency and fiscal 
irresponsibility.
  Mr. President, abandon this misguided approach and work with House 
Republicans toward solutions that promote genuine opportunity and 
prosperity for all Americans regardless of their educational 
background.


                           Our National Debt

  Mr. LANGWORTHY. Madam Speaker, today the United States' national debt 
is more than $34.408 trillion. That puts our debt per citizen at over 
$102,000. Since President Biden took office, inflation has increased by 
more than 17 percent. It is simple: Bidenomics is pricing Americans out 
of the American Dream.

  Bidenomics continues to fail the American people as it creates one of 
the most unaffordable housing markets in recent memory, putting 
homeownership out of reach for millions of hardworking Americans. 
Average monthly home payments have increased by 90 percent since Joe 
Biden entered the White House.
  That is why this legislative body is working to block the policies 
that drive up our national debt and push costly and burdensome 
regulations that increase costs for consumers.
  Just look at Biden's war on American energy producers. His 
administration is doing everything it can to block domestic oil and gas 
production, ban gas stoves and gas cars, and even hinder the export of 
American energy to our allies.
  It is clear that President Biden and my colleagues across the aisle 
would rather push their woke Green New Deal policies than do what is 
right for the American people. Hardworking Americans are still 
struggling to pay their bills and balance their family budgets while 
the President and Democrats in Washington continue to spend carelessly.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to direct their remarks 
to the Chair.

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