Mrvan Floor Statement on Immigration Legislation
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan spoke on the House floor regarding immigration legislation.
A video of the Congressman delivering the statement on the House floor is available here, and the full statement as prepared for delivery is below.
“I rise today to express my deep frustration with the unfortunate approach that the House majority is pursuing this week with regard to immigration legislation.
“On a personal note, this past week, I held a series of Community Forums throughout Indiana’s First Congressional District, and at each one, the topic of immigration reform and the challenge of securing our Southern border was front and center.
“Constituents throughout the region expressed great concern regarding the national security implications related to the increase in migrants, as well as the great need for increased border security agents, for administrative judges, for technology to monitor our border, and for resources to address drug and human trafficking.
“More broadly, there was a real desire to comprehensively solve this problem in a bipartisan manner, requiring not only government and federal contractor employers but all employers to utilize the E-Verify system to ensure no labor is being exploited, as well as honor our commitment to Dreamers.
“At our Community Forums, we also discussed the devastating impacts of fentanyl, highlighting how our district is home to an international port of entry that must be secure. In my prior position as a local elected official, I often hosted narcan training sessions. I recollect one such program during a polar vortex with 60 below wind chills and no less than 150 individuals attended a training session because drug traffickers flooded our region with fentanyl laced heroin. My office helped assist with burials for many of those who lost the struggle with addiction, and I carry each one of those with me. This is real life, and I pull from these experiences every day for my resolve to move forward with real legislative solutions.
“We are not solving the problem by debating bills for a political advantage, when there is a pending appropriations supplemental emergency request that would fund an additional 1,300 border security agents, amongst other priorities.
“We are not solving the problem by debating bills to try to further divide us, when there is a bipartisan policy solution pending in the Senate that regrettably has been declared dead on arrival in the House.
“This is a national security issue and I am seeking an immigration solution that is strong, secure, and humane.
“I implore my colleagues and the majority party to not jeopardize innocent lives and the safety of our communities by waiting to address this pressing issue until after the election. Let’s put these solutions up for a vote so the American people can see if we stand for results or if we stand for political theater.”
###