Press Release/Statement

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, today joined a bipartisan group of his House colleagues in calling for the immediate consideration of border security legislation.  Behind the efforts of House Republicans, signatures are being collected on a discharge petition to require a vote on H.R. 4088 (Shuler-NC), the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement Act.

“The fact that our borders remain open and unprotected is inexcusable,” said Congressman Hunter.  “Achieving a secure and enforceable border remains one of our greatest legislative priorities, but the Democratic majority continues to avoid taking action on this critical issue.  

“The American people demand that our nation’s borders be secured and our immigration laws be strengthened and aggressively enforced.  Instead, over the course of this year, Democrats have voted to cut funding for much-needed border infrastructure and supported initiatives to broaden the availability of taxpayer funded services for illegal immigrants.  When the American people demand action, this is far from what they expect.

“The security threat and growing costs associated with illegal immigration are much too serious to ignore.  The time to act is long overdue and this effort by House Republicans, if successful, will ensure that these issues begin receiving the attention they deserve.”

Hunter is an original cosponsor of H.R. 4088, which provides an increase in Border Patrol agents, expands the E-Verify program for employee verification and offers border security agencies the opportunity to train state and local law enforcement.  A total of 218 signatures on the discharge petition would require Democratic leadership to bring H.R. 4088 to the House floor for consideration.