Bilirakis Takes to the House Floor to Discuss Growing National Security Crisis at the Border

Washington, DC: This week, Congressman Gus Bilirakis implored the Biden Administration to take immediate action to secure our nation's southern border. When referencing the more than 1.2 million people who have been apprehended illegally crossing the border since February of this year, Bilirakis noted that this staggering figure exceeds the total number of people that reside in either Pasco or Pinellas counties. Bilirakis also cited the extreme volume of drugs being seized at the border, 724 lbs. of fentanyl and 595 lbs. of heroin in fiscal year2021 alone, and the impact these drugs are having on communities across the nation. "These deadly drugs don't just stay in communities along the border, they are spread throughout the country, into communities like ours in Tampa Bay. These drugs are fueling an addiction crisis and ruining countless lives," said Bilirakis. "These are our neighbors who are dying, as Florida currently ranks 2^nd in the nation for overdose deaths. We need action now!"

When speaking of the unmitigated disaster at the border, Bilirakis said the root causes of this crisis are clear; President Biden's disastrous immigration policies are to blame. "His Administration stopped building the wall, brought back catch and release, and tried to get rid of the Remain in Mexico policy."Bilirakis implored the Administration to take immediate, serious steps to address the growing problem, referencing the fact that "our enemies around the globe feel emboldened by what has recently transpired in Afghanistan- making the border crisis an urgent matter of national security that warrants immediate attention." To watch Congressman Bilirakis's full remarks on the House Floor, click here.