Congressman joins 90 other congressmen in sending “Build the Fence” letter to Speaker Pelosi.

[view:node_ad=5]Buck McKeon has joined over 90 members of Congress in calling on Congress and Speaker Nancy Pelosi  to complete construction of the border fence that helps prevent illegal immigrants from crossing U.S. borders.

 

“The people of my district have made it clear that they want the border fence to be completed as soon as possible,” stated McKeon.  “Before Congress fell under Democratic control, we made great strides in gaining control of our borders; but then funding for the already approved border fence was effectively stripped from the Omnibus bill that passed last December.  It is outrageous that given today’s atmosphere and the American people’s discontent with the lack of border security that we are even having this discussion.  This is a non-negotiable item.  We need to build the border fence.  We needed it yesterday.”

In a letter addressed to Speaker Pelosi, McKeon and others highlighted the Secure Fence Act that required double-layered fencing and the imminent need for greater control of our borders. 

 From “Build the Fence” letter to Speaker Pelosi

 “Operational control of our borders should be among the highest priorities of Congress.  Every sovereign country has the right to control who enters and remains within its borders.  The United States is no exception.  At risk are not only demographic and economic considerations; but also porous borders entice terrorists, drug cartel operatives and gang members to enter our country, and therefore our communities.”

 

A copy of the letter is contained below.  For more information on McKeon’s stance on immigration and border security, you can visit his website at www.mckeon.house.gov.
 
 

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

 

We are seriously concerned about language in the recently passed Omnibus appropriations bill, H.R. 2764 (Public Law No. 110-161), that would undermine the construction of the border fence as directed under the Secure Fence Act of 2006.

 

The Omnibus removed the Secure Fence Act’s important requirement for double-layered fencing and specific construction zones and benchmarks.  The Omnibus subjects fence construction zones and benchmarks to the unrestricted judgment of the Secretary of Homeland Security. 

 

Additionally, language in the Omnibus likely would embroil fence construction in countless layers of bureaucracy which are certain to delay timely construction benchmarks. 

 

Operational control of our borders should be among the highest priorities of Congress. Every sovereign country has the right to control who enters and remains within its borders. The United States is no exception.  At risk are not only demographic and economic considerations, but also porous borders entice terrorists, drug cartel operatives and gang members to enter our country, and therefore our communities. 

 

Americans acknowledge the geographic challenges of patrolling our vast 1900 mile southern border, and overwhelmingly support the construction of fencing along the border to help slow illegal entry into the United States.  As always, Americans continue to welcome those who enter our country through the appropriate legal channels. 

 

We urge that as Congress considers the legislative priorities of the coming year, construction of the fence be a top priority.  To that end, we write to request that the language recently enacted removing the requirement for double-layered fencing and subjecting fence construction zones and benchmarks to the discretion of the Secretary of Homeland Security be removed as soon as possible. We are united in asking that you support the completed construction of the fence and, thereby, the further securing of our borders.