Let's put this one to rest...
Biden came out and said the following:
"I've done all I can do, just give me the power," Biden said. "Give me the Border Patrol. Give me the judges. Give me the people who can stop this and make it work right."
HR4828, which HIS Senate Democrats refused to even consider in 2021 provided the following:
- requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume all activities to construct a border barrier system along the U.S.-Mexico border that were underway or planned prior to January 20, 2021; - More Tools
- requires DHS to deploy, in addition to physical barriers, tactical infrastructure and technology to achieve situational awareness and operational control of the southwest border; - Allow them to do their job
- authorizes U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to carry out a program to acquire innovative commercial items through a competitive selection of proposals; -
- imposes certain requirements for DHS border security technology acquisition programs that have a total expenditure of at least $300 million; - Guidelines on acquiring tools
- requires CBP to implement certain technologies, including a program to establish a biometric exit data system at ports of entry; - More tools
- requires CBP to increase or maintain certain staffing levels for agents, officers, processing coordinators, and other positions; - More people
- requires CBP to implement a workload staffing model for the U.S. Border Patrol and for CBP's Air and Marine Operations; and - Guidelines on organizing the people to enable them to do the job
- provides statutory authority through FY2026 for Operation Stonegarden, a Federal Emergency Management Agency program that provides grants to states and territories involved in certain active CBP border security operations. - And finally, even more money to States to enable them to support border operations with additional personnel and resources
Again, Republicans did their job and introduced this in 2021. Democrats refused to push it forward. They also pushed the following 21-22:
H.R.2729 Finish the Wall Act Related bill CRS 04/22/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.
H.R.3130 Operation Stonegarden Authorization Act Related bill CRS 05/13/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.
H.R.4138 CBP Workload Staffing Model Act Related bill CRS 06/25/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.
H.R.6637 DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act Related bill CRS 11/01/2022 Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
S.1709 ANTI-Drugs Act Related bill CRS 05/19/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
S.3130 Protecting Sensitive Personal Data Act of 2021 Related bill CRS 11/02/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Last year HR2 was passed, which again provided additional tools, funding, and personnel for the Biden admin. That was passed in May... Why won't the Senate pass this? No matter, Biden indicated he'd veto it anyway. This bill went on to provide for the following:
DIVISION A--BORDER SECURITY – More personnel, finish the wall, planning/funding for more/better technology, retention bonuses, and coordination with Operation Stonegarden (state and local funds to provide additional resources to CBP).
DIVISION B--IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS – Asylum reform, border safety and migrant protection, to include protecting and keeping families and kids united, visa overstay penalties, parole reform, and updating the legal workforce requirements.
So again, Biden is full of crap when he suggests the Republicans won’t give him the tools. Thus far it’s been his Democrats in the House and Senate along with his veto threats. I say we take him at his word on this part "I've done all I can do,” and have him step aside in November.
Sources:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4828/related-billshttps://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2?s=1&r=1&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22HR2%22%7D