Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2024

January 26, 2024

For too long, we all know the border's been broken. It's long past time to fix it.

That's why 2 months ago, I instructed my team to begin negotiations with a bipartisan group of Senators to seriously, and finally, address the border crisis. For weeks now that's what they've done, working around the clock, through the holidays, and over weekends.

Let's be clear. What's been negotiated wouldâif passed into lawâbe the toughest and fairest set of reforms to secure the border we've ever had in our country. It would give me, as President, a new emergency authority to shut down the border when it becomes overwhelmed. And if given that authority, I would use it the day I sign the bill into law.

Further, Congress needs to finally provide the funding I requested in October to secure the border. This includes an additional 1,300 Border Patrol agents, 375 immigration judges, 1,600 asylum officers, and over 100 cutting-edge inspection machines to help detect and stop fentanyl at our southwest border.

Securing the border through these negotiations is a win for America. For everyone who is demanding tougher border control, this is the way to do it.

If you're serious about the border crisis, pass a bipartisan bill, and I will sign it.

NOTE: The statement referred to Sens. Christopher S. Murphy, James P. Lankford, and Kyrsten L. Sinema.

Categories: Statements by the President : Border security legislation, bipartisan Senate negotiations.

Names: Lankford, James P.; Murphy, Christopher S.; Sinema, Kyrsten L.

Subjects: Bipartisanship; Border security; Mexico, border with U.S., infrastructure and security; Opioid epidemic, efforts to combat.

DCPD Number: DCPD202400050.

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