[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2346-S2347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                           SECURE America Act

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, since January, Democrats have refused to 
fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement; they have refused to fund 
U.S. Border Patrol. Month after month after month, Democrats have tried 
to defund law enforcement in America. When illegal immigrant criminals 
roam freely, our communities are less safe.
  The Biden administration tried an open borders approach. From Fairfax 
County, VA, to San Francisco, CA, Democrats' sanctuary cities all 
across America continue this dangerous and deadly experiment. Consider 
the families of Laken Riley, Stephanie Minter, and Sheridan Gorman. 
These families are mourning the tragic loss of their loved ones, each 
murdered by an illegal immigrant criminal.
  It is time for Congress to fully fund Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement. ICE and Border Patrol keep our communities safe. They 
protect our country at great risk to themselves personally. The work 
they do is important, it is urgent, and it is necessary. And the 
results are undeniable. For the last 12 months, absolutely zero illegal 
immigrants have been released into our communities through the Biden 
catch-and-release program.
  Republicans are going to make sure that our Border Patrol is fully 
funded--all of it. This week, the Senate will vote on the SECURE 
America Act. The SECURE America Act will keep our Nation strong, and it 
will keep our communities safe. The SECURE America Act funds ICE and 
Border Patrol. It does it for 3 full years. It builds on the border 
security successes of the Laken Riley Act, the HALT Fentanyl Act, and 
the Working Families Tax Cut law. Most importantly, the SECURE America 
Act guarantees Democrats cannot defund American security during the 
administration of President Trump.

  The SECURE America Act also improves training for Secret Service 
agents. This prepares agents to counter the evolving threats that we 
face. It safeguards major national events and every American who 
attends them. This weekend is the Indianapolis 500. The World Cup is 
coming up. The 2028 Olympic Games are right around the corner. 
Americans from coast to coast will be safer when the SECURE America Act 
becomes law.
  Every single Democrat here in the Senate opposes the SECURE America 
Act. Senator Schumer vowed to fight it. He said he would use ``every 
tool in our arsenal.'' Why is he saying this? Because Democrats believe 
in open borders. They are the party of open borders. They are the party 
of ``defund the police.''
  Democrats' outright opposition to protecting the American people 
contrasts sharply with their own personal demands, which is opposite of 
what they want for the American people. Democrats are demanding more 
personal security for themselves but not for the American people.
  Following the murder of a State representative last year, Senator 
Schumer complained and said:

       [W]e need more protection. We need more money.
  Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut warned that limited resources, he 
said, ``should not be the reason why an assassination of a member of 
Congress is successful.''
  Do you know the amount of money that Democrats have demanded? One

[[Page S2347]]

billion dollars. One billion dollars to protect themselves, but they 
vote against protecting our communities. It is wrong. Democrats are 
much more supportive of protecting themselves and illegal immigrant 
criminals than they are of protecting the citizens of this great 
Nation.
  The message from the Democrats is this: Our Nation's safety and 
security doesn't matter.
  My message is this: The safety and security of our citizens and our 
communities should be the No. 1 priority of everyone serving in the 
U.S. Senate.
  Republicans are going to stand up to protect American citizens. We 
will pass the SECURE America Act, and we will continue to keep American 
communities safe.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sheehy). The minority whip.