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House Democrats Reject Consideration of Hinson's See the Crisis Act

June 15, 2021

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA) today called for immediate consideration of her bill, the See the Crisis Act, legislation that would prevent Vice President Kamala Harris from using taxpayer dollars to travel internationally before seeing the border crisis firsthand. House Democrats refused to consider her legislation. Hinson's full floor remarks are below.

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Hinson Floor STC Act

Click here or on the photo above to watch Rep. Hinson's full remarks


Remarks as Prepared:

"M. Chairman, I rise today to call for immediate consideration of my See the Crisis Act. This legislation would prevent Vice President Kamala Harris from using taxpayer dollars to travel internationally before seeing the border crisis firsthand.

Vice President Harris was named as Administration’s point person on the illegal immigration crisis at our Southern Border 80 days ago. This crisis is worsening by the day. Yet, the Vice President has refused to go to the border herself and talk to the brave law enforcement officers on the frontlines.

This out of sight, out of mind approach is a disgrace. But let’s back up and look at how this crisis has developed on the Biden Administration’s watch. On day one of his Administration, President Biden stopped construction of the border wall. Shortly after, he re-instated catch-and-release. This turned on the green light at our border. It incentivized the historic surge of illegal immigration we are currently experiencing.

Open border policies are music to the ears of the cartels, drug smugglers, and traffickers who make their living on human suffering. And make no mistake: business is good for cartels and drug smugglers under this Administration. Snuck into this Rule is a provision to set spending levels for Congress. These historic spending levels rise in nearly every category except one – the Department of Homeland Security. This sends a clear message to the cartels that the U.S. government doesn’t think it a priority to stop them.

M. Chair, I recently visited the border to see the crisis for myself and hear about what those on the frontlines are facing. They told me that they are completely overwhelmed and there are major vulnerabilities along our border, vulnerabilities that cartels and drug smugglers are exploiting. Border Patrol officers are apprehending sex offenders, gang members, and even people on the terrorist watch list trying to come into our country illegally. These are just the people that they are catching.

Deadly drugs are pouring across the border in droves. Fentanyl seizures at the border have increased 233 percent this year. When I was at the border, I heard from both Democratic and Republican sheriffs about these devastating realities, and the damage being inflicted on our communities. But apparently, even as the Administration’s point person on the illegal immigration crisis, hearing from those on the ground is too much to ask of the Vice President.  

She has been the “Border Czar” for 80 days. She’s been to yarn shops, she’s been to bakeries. She just flew right over the crisis at our Southern Border to meet with foreign countries with the taxpayer’s checkbook in hand. When asked why she hasn’t visited the border, she laughed. This is no laughing matter. The border crisis impacts the safety and security of every Iowan, of every American. Every state is a border state right now.

As Members of Congress, regardless of party, it is our job to hold the Administration accountable when it is failing the American people. And right now, Vice President Harris is failing the American people. She’s failing law enforcement. She’s failing the families who will suffer because of drugs coming across our border and falling into the wrong hands. Vice President Harris needs to see the crisis for herself and take action.

And that is exactly what my See the Crisis Act will force her to do. This bill will prevent the Vice President from traveling internationally on the taxpayers’ dime until she visits the Southern Border and reports to the American people on how the Administration will secure our border. I urge my colleagues to join me in defeating the previous question and holding the Administration accountable for the border crisis.

Thank you, and I yield back."

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