Rutherford Statement on FY25 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill House Passage

"This year's Homeland Security Appropriations bill provides funding to protect our seaports and airports, makes investments in the cybersecurity of our nation's critical infrastructure, supports those who protect our nation, including the brave men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and preparesthe nationfor major disaster response and recovery efforts. Specifically, the bill does what the Biden Administration refuses to do - protect our country's borders - by providing $600 million for the construction of a southern border walland funding for 22,000 Border Patrol agents, border security technology to stop the flow of illegal aliens and drugs across our border, and 50,000 detention beds for illegal immigrants awaiting deportation. This bill also forces Secretary Mayorkas to adhere to the law and funds the detention, transportation, and removal of dangerous criminal aliens from our communities.

"The bill also counters our foreign adversaries, including China, and bolsters our national security by providing our U.S. Coast Guard with the resources they need to protect our waters. It focuses the Department of Homeland Security on its core responsibility of protecting the American people, not promoting equity action plans or critical race theory.

"Not only does this bill bolster our homeland security, but it also brings over $2.5 million to Northeast Florida through Community Project Funding for the St. Johns Hazard Mitigation Infrastructure Improvement Project to provide long-term flood control to over 10,000 residents and 3,000 commercial properties.

"We must put the safety and security of our homeland first, which starts with building the wall, removing dangerous criminals, protecting our coastal waters, and countering the spread of fentanyl across our border. That's why I am proud to pass this year's Homeland Security Appropriations bill."

Please find the House Appropriations Committee's bill summary here.