Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Vice Chairman of the House Rules Committee, released the following statement after voting in support of H.R. 2 - Secure the Border Act of 2023. 

“The crisis at our southern border is not new, but it is the worst that it has ever been in my lifetime,” said Burgess.“The Secure the Border Act will help to secure our southern border and combat unlawful immigration – taking down the ‘open now’ sign this administration placed on the southern border on its first day in office. With Title 42 ending this week, it is critical that we secure our border.  
  
“We cannot achieve comprehensive immigration reform without first securing our border. This piece of legislation is the first step to making that happen. Our current laws are being ignored due to the policies of this administration incentivizing unlawful migration. By not enforcing current law, we are witnessing unaccompanied children being trafficked and Americans losing their lives to fentanyl.  
  
“I appreciate the leadership and commitment of the Republican Conference to providing a real solution to a problem that is affecting every American. This administration made every community a border community.”