Tennessee Congresswoman Delivers Remarks About Biden’s Border Crisis On House Floor

Image Credit: Office of Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger

Press Release –

Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) spoke on the House Floor in response to the ongoing crisis at the U.S./Mexico border. In her remarks, Rep. Harshbarger addressed how this crisis at America’s southern border is impacting the health and safety of Americans, even those in East Tennessee.

Congresswoman Harshbarger’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, can be read below or viewed HERE.

Madam Speaker,

I rise today to talk about the Border Crisis. I want to remind the American people that our National Security is still in jeopardy as our southern border remains wide open.

Since Joe Biden took office, over 2.6 MILLION illegal immigrants have been apprehended at the southern border. 

Because of President Biden’s failed open border policies, more drugs have been smuggled into our neighborhoods than ever before! CBP estimates that nearly 5,300 POUNDS of deadly fentanyl analogues have been apprehended. That’s enough to kill 2.4 BILLION people.

As a pharmacist, I know all too well that the illegal fentanyl analogues flowing through Joe’s open border has caused unthinkable harm by poisoning our communities.

According to the Metro Public Health Department in Nashville last year, 74% of overdose-related toxicology reports detected fatal fentanyl analogues. 

Wondering how all that fentanyl is getting to a state like mine?

It is no coincidence that Border Patrol Agents reported a 1066% increase in fentanyl seizures at JUST ONE stretch of the US/Mexico border last year.

The influx of dangerous illegal drugs is making its way into all of our neighborhoods, this is no longer a geographically tied tragedy. Tennessee is not a border state, but every state has become a border state through this crisis.

The Biden Administration’s failure has had deadly consequences and my home state has not been immune.

As I stand here today, the largest caravan of people intending to illegally reside in the United States is heading to our southern border.

Word has gotten around that Joe Biden is soft on crime and has opened his arms and our border to anyone and everyone.

This caravan could total up to 15,000 people, far outnumbering our Border Patrol agents who are already struggling to protect our borders.

These thousands are just crumbs compared to the MILLIONS that have entered our country illegally in the last year.

I have been to the border more times now in my first term in the House of Representatives than Joe Biden has in his nearly half a century in public service.

What I saw there at both Eagle Pass and the Rio Grande Valley Sector was heartbreaking and infuriating.

I had the opportunity to speak with our border patrol agents who just want to do their job and keep our nation safe, but are struggling under the conditions this administration has boxed them into.

They don’t have enough resources, manpower, or support to turn away the hoards of invaders that come through the border every day.

In fact, they are encouraged to help transport these individuals to every corner of the nation without a way of knowing who they are or where they are going. 

What we do know, is who is paying for all this. That’s a simple answer: The American Taxpayer- YOU.

This year, Secretary Mayorkas admitted that Americans are out $72 MILLION just from President Biden’s order to halt border wall construction. 

Plainly speaking, you are being charged to ensure you are less safe.

This crisis greatly benefits the cartels and gravely threatens the American people.

Every state is a border state as Joe Biden’s Border Crisis damages our National Security.

This crisis has gone on long enough. Americans deserve better, they deserve a closed border.

Thank you, I yield back.

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