HR2

Congressman Tony Gonzales Statement on the Passage of H.R. 2, The Secure

the Border Act

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Today, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) issued the following

statement after the House passage of H.R. 2, The Secure the Border Act:

"Representing more than 40 percent of our southern border, I know firsthand the struggles that

border communities, Border Patrol Agents, and law enforcement officers face each and every

day. H.R. 2, The Secure the Border Act, is a step in the right direction, and I am proud to have

negotiated several key provisions that were included in this legislation. These measures increase

funding for Border Sheriffs and police officers on the frontlines, provide CBP with additional

manpower, improve pay for our men and women in green, and streamline the deployment of

anti-smuggling technology. H.R. 2 also cracks down on false asylum claims while preserving the

right for people fleeing legitimate persecution to have their day in court. For this reason, I voted

YES on final passage.

"Unfortunately, and to my extreme concern, H.R. 2 falls short of addressing cartel activity at the

southern border. At the eleventh hour, my provision to begin labeling cartels as terrorist

organizations was stricken from the bill. This common-sense policy would have paved the way

for law enforcement to better seize their financial assets and strengthen criminal penalties on

cartel operators.

"For many of my colleagues passing H.R. 2 means "mission accomplished", but the crisis at our

southern border will not be resolved until a comprehensive border security bill ends up on

President Biden's desk and is signed into law. I'll continue to fight for the people who have had

their lives upended due to Washington's failure to protect our border and call the cartels what

they truly are -- terrorists."