“President Trump and Republicans are determined to stop the surge at our borders – both north and south. This is a life-or-death issue.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor to address the national security threats at America’s Northern Border.
Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.
Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:
“For four years, America’s attention has been on the Southern Border. Meanwhile, the criminal cartels noticed how Joe Biden and the Democrats threw open the Northern Border.
“The Northern Border of the United States faces unique threats. President Trump is taking bold, swift action to secure it. President Trump’s actions are working. Why would we let up?
“Canada is making changes. Canada agreed to deploy to the border more technology and more law enforcement officers. Canada also created its first ever National Fentanyl Czar.
“Democrats have said in the past they want to see the Northern Border secured.
“Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire said in March, ‘Strengthening security of our Northern Border is vital to keeping both New Hampshire and our country safe.’
“Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said in September that Border Patrol agents at the Northern Border are ‘struggling to address a dramatic increase’ in illegal border crossings.
“Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, a member of Democrat leadership, called for in January 2022 an ‘expansion of federal anti-trafficking and anti-smuggling efforts’ on the Northern Border.
“Now, however, Democrats have a resolution to throw out common sense action
to secure our Northern Border. The message is clear. Democrats remain the party of open borders.
“America’s Northern Border with Canada is the longest land border in the world. The Northern Border is twice as long as our Southern Border with Mexico. Much of the Northern Border is unguarded. The Northern Border stretches across 13 states – states like New York, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and New Hampshire.
“Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel testified before Congress last week. Director Patel spoke about the threats facing our country. Director Patel issued a stark warning. Director Patel said, ‘Known and suspected terrorists are flowing in through our Northern Border more than they are at our Southern Border.’ That is a fact.
“The Northern Border is now a hotspot for terror suspects and drug cartels. 143 terror suspects were already caught this year at our Northern Border by Border Patrol agents. That is a threat to the safety of our communities.
“The Mexican cartels also have a growing presence on the Northern Border. That might come as a surprise to most Americans. CBS News recently interviewed a drug smuggler who works for a major Mexican cartel. The smuggler revealed a chilling fact. The cartel is moving pounds and pounds and pounds of fentanyl across the Northern Border each and every month.
“Human traffickers are also taking advantage of the open Northern Border. In 2024, in just one sector, more than 19,000 people crossed into our country illegally. More illegal crossings in one sector in one year than in the previous 17 years combined.
“The explosion of drug smuggling and human trafficking is directly harming American communities. The impacts are felt far beyond the border. Fentanyl overdose deaths are the leading cause of death in young adults. Illegal immigration strains our communities, our schools, and our hospitals.
“President Trump and Republicans are determined to stop the surge at our borders – both north and south. This is a life-or-death issue. Canada must continue to work closely with us to intercept deadly drugs and terror suspects. The security of both our nations depends on it.
“The best way to protect our communities is to secure our borders. That is not what Senator Kaine’s resolution does. His resolution would undermine the work the United States and Canada are doing to secure the northern border. Fortunately for the safety of the American people, the House of Representatives will not take up this legislation. It will never make it to President Trump’s desk.
“Republicans are making our communities safer. The results speak for themselves.”
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