John Carter

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), who is my good friend.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to section 3 of House Resolution 500, as the designee of Chairman Frelinghuysen, I rise to offer en bloc No. 3 as part of the consideration of Division E of H.R. 3354. A list of amendments included in the en bloc is at the desk and has been agreed to by both sides.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta).

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Donovan).

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that amendment No. 79 printed in part B of House Report 115-295, which was adopted as part of the amendments en bloc, be modified by the modification placed at the desk.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, once again, I oppose the gentleman's amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank him for bringing up this issue. Last week, FEMA was forced to restrict obligations for past disasters to prioritize funding for immediate lifesaving efforts in response to Hurricane Harvey. The supplemental funding bill that passed the House this morning will enable FEMA to lift these restrictions and resume funding for long-term recovery efforts, such as those in North Carolina and other parts of our Nation.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Pittenger), my colleague, for the purpose of a colloquy.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Mr. Frelinghuysen and Mrs. Lowey for all the work that we did together on this bill. The whole bill is a good bill. It deserves this House's support. But I am here to present the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2018, which, in turn, deserves your support. This is a good bill that is essentially for the security of our Nation. It not only funds vital security and law enforcement capabilities, but it also restores funding for critical Federal assistance grant programs and disaster relief. As importantly, it provides the oversight essential to ensure the Department's actions are in accordance with congressional intent. Let's look at it. For CBP, $1.6 billion for 74 miles of border wall construction that was previously included in the Make America Secure Appropriations Act that was passed in July. In addition to the funding for the wall construction, this bill will fund additional border patrol agents and virtually all of the technology, infrastructure, and assets needed for the security of our borders. For ICE, this bill funds 44,000 detention beds; 10,000 more beds than were funded in 2016; almost 4,700 more than the number funded in 2017. This bill will strengthen ICE's ability to enforce immigration laws and conduct investigations into human trafficking, child exploitation, and transnational crime. For TSA, although the bill does not include the proposed increase in aviation security fees, it fully funds required transportation security screeners. For the Coast Guard, all major acquisition programs are funded at the required level: the polar icebreaker, the offshore patrol cutter, and the fast response cutter. For FEMA, the bill fully funds the request for disaster assistance. It restores nearly $940 million to the Federal assistance for first responder grants and education training exercises. Additionally, the bill fully funds all cybersecurity acquisition requirements at the requested levels, fully funds the Secret Service, and fully funds E- Verify. In conclusion, my colleagues, this bill strengthens the security of our Nation. It also sends a powerful message that if you break our Nation's laws and cross the border illegally, you will suffer the consequences: apprehension and a guaranteed stay in detention.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the supplemental funding for Hurricane Harvey relief. H. Res. 502 totals $7.85 billion in emergency funding, including $7.4 billion for FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund. This supplemental funding is a necessary first step toward assisting our communities in immediate need. However, rebuilding and recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey will continue to require further resources and really hard work. I will continue to work closely alongside my colleagues in the Texas delegation, the Louisiana delegation, and the Appropriations Committee to meet the needs of our neighbors in the southeastern part of our State. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this devastating storm. Colleagues, I encourage each and every one of you to vote for this. H. Res. 502 is focused on addressing the immediate needs of those affected by Hurricane Harvey. It sends them a powerful message: that we are here and we are here for them, and we will be working hard for them throughout this recovery. Just this morning, I saw another newsman standing waist-deep in water in Houston as it continues to recede. Let's cast our vote properly and start the recovery for the southeastern part of Texas and the western part of Louisiana.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask Members' support for this bill and for this amendment.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in favor of the rule, which makes an amendment that I offered part of the security package by the adoption of this rule. I want to acknowledge the frustration of my colleagues at adding funds to construct three barriers on the U.S.-Mexico border. Like many of you, I would have preferred a package which included all 12 appropriations bills. However, this is the process that we are going forward with, and, of course, I am supportive of it. Despite my reservations about the process, I believe that each of these three projects included in this amendment are absolutely necessary for national security. The funds that are in what we call the ``wall'' part of this bill are 28 miles of levee wall in Hidalgo County, Texas. Many people have asked me what that is. Mostly everybody knows a levee is a big mound of dirt that keeps the water from flooding. Well, it is a big pile of dirt with a 20-foot wall on one side made of concrete to keep it from washing out and a 6-foot fence on top of that. It serves for water retention, as well as defending our borders. The funds pay for the construction of 32 miles of bollard wall in Starr County, Texas, which is Rio Grande City and that area. Bollard fence is a bunch of steel poles about the size of a small corner post on a cedar post fence. They rise up about 20 feet in the air and have a cement base. Also, the funds pay for 14 miles of wall in San Diego, replacing an existing 14 miles of wall or fence with a better product because it has been deteriorating since the 1990s, when it went in. That is what is in this bill. Many people claim it isn't necessary to put up barriers between the border of the United States and Mexico. They say the border is more secure than it has ever been, apprehensions are way down, and that border walls do not prevent people crossing. In fact, I disagree, and they do, too. It is a fact that apprehensions are down relative to the mid-2000s. In fact, in the late nineties, in San Diego, before their barrier fences were built, 500,000 people stormed across that border. Last year, the number is 25,000. That is a substantial reduction. More than a million people crossed our Southern border every year in the early-2000s. However, today, we continue to apprehend certain people, and it is down to 200,000 a year on the border. That is a substantial number. What concerns me more than the number of apprehensions is the fact that if migrants are crossing the border illegally, then so are terrorists, drug smugglers, and human traffickers. Mr. Speaker, many Members of this body probably remember illegal immigrants rushing the border in San Diego back in the 1990s. Illegal immigrant entries decreased significantly, as I said. The number of illegal crossings fell, crime rates declined, commerce increased, and neighborhoods became safe all because of fences and barriers on the border. The Border Patrol cautions that illegal border migration seeks the path of least resistance and that these commendable results do not mean that the flow has steadied. It has simply moved to another unprotected place like the Rio Grande Valley in my home State of Texas. We want to change that dynamic. This amendment is important because it is committed to dedicated men and women who stand in harm's way on our behalf.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this polygraph waiver provision that is proposed here is a darn good idea that is a long time overdue from happening. The reality is the hiring process of the Border Patrol, and, in fact, I would argue almost everything under my jurisdiction in Homeland Security, is as slow as molasses in the wintertime. It just doesn't move. Meanwhile, we have got skilled law enforcement people applying, skilled former veterans with high clearances who are applying for these jobs and being stumbled by the lack of polygraph operators available to do it. This is a choice and a right choice of setting a priority for those people who have served, proving their worth, and are asking to be part of the defense of our national borders. I support this wholeheartedly. I support Chairwoman McSally's concept here. It is great. It starts a new way of doing things. We need more than anything else in the Federal Government--if a new way of doing things is the right way, we ought to be doing it. Nobody is going to keep from checking on people. You can still make them take a polygraph if you run across something you don't like. But it is a good idea whose time has come. Let's be modern Americans and have new ideas and make those new ideas work. I commend everyone here in support of this. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill, and I think, for a change, government is making a good start at new ideas.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the extraordinary work of my friend Alan McGraw, mayor of my home of Round Rock, Texas. On May 25, he will step down after three successful terms leading this growing and dynamic Central Texas city. Mayor McGraw's devotion to public service has made Round Rock a great place to live and work. He focused on bringing jobs to the area, prioritized keeping citizens safe through support of public safety officials, and improved transportation and quality of life for the citizens of Round Rock. From planned resorts to a downtown revitalization project to a state-of-the-art convention center, Round Rock has become a city on the cutting edge of urban development. Round Rock has benefitted from Mayor McGraw's love of the outdoors. His connection with the owners of Bass Pro Shops brought the retail giant to Round Rock, further strengthening the local economy. McGraw's forward-thinking leadership resulted in the construction of the Round Rock Sports Center which has entrenched the City as the Sports Capital of Texas, further diversifying Round Rock's position in sports tourism. While effective city leadership isn't easy, Texans aren't afraid of a challenge and Mayor McGraw has embraced every opportunity, no matter how daunting, to improve Round Rock. He shepherded the city through recent economic downturns and has worked tirelessly to inject realism to regional transit planning. His leadership has been a reflection of the very best values of the Lone Star State. While McGraw isn't tired of the privilege of leading Round Rock, he knows that everything has its season and that it's time to allow the next generation of leaders to take the stage. Retirement from office won't give him much idle time. He'll fill his days at his law practice, start up an archery retail business, and spend time with his beloved wife Kathy and two children. Mayor Alan McGraw has done what all public servants are elected to do: put the needs of the people first. He's led Round Rock to new heights and positioned my home town to continue its progress into a bright future. I salute his leadership, congratulate him on his retirement, and wish him nothing but the best for the years ahead.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Major Efrain Reyna Jr. of the United States Army for his extraordinary dedication to duty and service to the Nation. After four years of faithful service in the nation's capital, Major Reyna will transition from his present assignment as a Budget Liaison at Department of the Army Headquarters to civilian life back in the Great State of Texas. Major Reyna has demonstrated the invaluable service that Army Congressional Liaisons provide Congress. He enabled countless Members and staff in developing a better understanding of Army policies, operations, and requirements. His first-hand knowledge of military needs, culture, and tradition were of tremendous benefit to Congressional offices. Prior to service as a Liaison, Major Reyna was assigned to my office as a Military Fellow where he quickly became an indispensable asset to my team. His performance was superb and he earned my utmost respect. His ability to build relationships and create opportunities aided me greatly in securing legislative language in support of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting victims, an effort that had been a priority of mine for 5 years. A native Texan from the Rio Grande Valley, Major Reyna is a distinguished military graduate from Saint Mary's University where he earned a commission in the Army Aviation branch. He served with the 101st Airborne Division as a Chinook helicopter pilot and platoon leader. From here, he deployed on his first combat tour to Afghanistan as a flight platoon leader in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Efrain also served with the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, ``the Great Place.'' While there, he served in various leadership positions to include Chinook company commander and support battalion operations officer. Efrain conducted his second combat deployed to Afghanistan with the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade as a company commander. His dedication to excellence has not gone unnoticed. Major Reyna's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and numerous others. He has earned the Senior Aviator Badge, Ranger Tab, Airborne Wings, and Air Assault Wings. Efrain is a graduate of the Marine Expeditionary Warfare School. He also completed a Master's Degree from George Washington University during his time here, demonstrating his commitment as a Warrior and a Scholar. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to recognize the selfless service of Major Efrain Reyna and the support and dedication of his wife Kelly Ann and their two sons, Isaac Lee Reyna and Zachary Miers. I wish them the very best as they complete over twelve years of honorable service to our great nation and proceed to the next chapter in their lives.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. The Homeland Security division of this bill contains $42.4 billion to fund the Department of Homeland Security. This amount includes $1.5 billion in additional funding as proposed by the President in his budget amendment. That is the largest boost to border security funding in nearly a decade. This bill is a sizable down payment on our promise to secure our borders, enforce our immigration laws, and keep our citizens safe. This bill includes 39,324 detention beds, an increase of more than 5,000 over the previous number. This additional capacity will allow our immigration officials to end catch and release once and for all. Forty miles of upgraded fencing are in this bill. This upgraded barrier will stem the flow of drugs, smugglers, and illegal immigrants across our border, and give our Border Patrol agents the time they need to make an arrest. Also included is $87 million of enhanced surveillance and radars so Border Patrol agents can more effectively detect illegal crossings, 26 miles of new road construction, and 758 miles of road improvements. I hear time and again from our agents on the border that they not only need to detect illegal crossings, they must reach them to arrest them. These roads will literally pave the way toward that effort. Here in Washington, people talk about border security and immigration. In Texas, we live it every day. We must get this problem under control. I am confident that with the support of President Trump and my colleagues in the House and Senate, we will bring sanity and the rule of law back to our borders. This bill is a vital step. I urge its passage. I thank Lucille Roybal-Allard, my ranking member, and both the majority and minority staffs for their hard work on this bill.