Members of Alabama’s Republican congressional delegation criticized the national security legislation that was released by U.S. Senate leadership late Sunday.
The $118 billion bill includes $20 billion in border investments, $60.1 billion in military assistance for Ukraine, and $14.1 billion in security assistance for Israel.
While the Democrat leaders in the Senate are calling it a great compromise that helps the county’s allies while also securing the U.S. southern border — Alabama political leaders aren’t buying their argument.
“I cannot believe the Senate actually thinks this bill will secure our border. This poor excuse for a border security bill will continue to incentivize illegal crossings and will not have my support,” U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) said. “House Republicans have already passed H.R. 2 to secure the border. That is the bill the Senate should have acted on.”
I cannot believe the Senate actually thinks this bill will secure our border. This poor excuse for a border security bill will continue to incentivize illegal crossings and will not have my support.
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) February 5, 2024
The Senate is expected to vote on the bill this week, but Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has already made it know that the measure will not be taken up in the House.
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) echoed the Speaker’s sentiments, arguing the bill is “Dead on Arrival.”
“The Senate border bill is Dead on Arrival in the House,” Aderholt said. “We have an unprecedented national security crisis at our border. We deserve a secure border, protection from fentanyl traffickers, and communities not overrun by illegals. This bill doesn’t measure up.”
The Senate border bill is Dead on Arrival in the House. We have an unprecedented national security crisis at our border. We deserve a secure border, protection from fentanyl traffickers, and communities not overrun by illegals. This bill doesn’t measure up. #senateborderbill
— Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) February 5, 2024
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) believes the legislation will not actually solve the current crisis.
“After reviewing the 370 pages released by the Senate, I am concerned that the emergency authorities are so riddled with exceptions, loopholes, and waivers that it will not meaningfully improve our border crisis,” Strong said in a statement. “For example, the bill creates a new ‘Border Emergency Authority,’ but only allows the President to use it for under nine months of the year, and only after at least 4,000 illegal aliens cross in a day.
“I don’t believe that the Senate proposal even represents incremental progress.”
After reviewing the 370 pages released by the Senate, I am concerned that the emergency authorities are so riddled with exceptions, loopholes, and waivers that it will not meaningfully improve our border crisis…
Read my full statement here. https://t.co/l61aaad8eS
— Dale W. Strong (@RepDaleStrong) February 5, 2024
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) was particularly upset that the bill spends more on Ukraine aid than on securing the border.
“The Senate ‘border security’ bill mentions Ukraine 370 times,” Moore said. “It sends $60 billion in taxpayer dollars to Ukraine and only $20 billion to our southern border. I OPPOSE this legislation. America First!”
The Senate "border security" bill mentions Ukraine 370 times.
It sends $60 billion in taxpayer dollars to Ukraine and only $20 billion to our southern border.
I OPPOSE this legislation. America First! #KilltheBill
— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) February 5, 2024
U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) took note of one of the bill’s provisions that effectively closes the border if more than 5,000 migrants are encountered in the course of a week or 8,500 on any given day.
“The Senate ‘border bill’ allows 5,000 immigrants a day into our country…and that’s just the beginning,” Carl said. “This bill does nothing but reward illegal immigration into the U.S. We need to finish the wall and end the border crisis. The Senate MUST pass HR 2.”
The Senate "border bill" allows 5,000 immigrants a day into our country…and that’s just the beginning.
This bill does nothing but reward illegal immigration into the U.S.
We need to finish the wall and end the border crisis. The Senate MUST pass HR 2.
— Rep. Jerry Carl (@RepJerryCarl) February 5, 2024
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
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