Congressman Biggs Introduces the Fund and Complete the Border Wall Act

August 7, 2018
Press Release

GILBERT, ARIZONA – Today, Congressman Andy Biggs introduced the Fund and Complete the Border Wall Act. This bill fully funds, completes, and pays for the border wall, while giving Border Patrol agents the resources they need to do their jobs. Congressman Biggs issued the following statement:

"Border security was one of the primary issues of the 2016 campaign. Americans believed us when we promised to build the wall, secure our border, and enforce our laws.

"Even with a Republican-controlled House and Senate, we have failed to secure the funds for the border wall. In the meantime, our Border Patrol agents suffer demoralizing losses of resources and personnel. Some in Congress view border security as leverage for an amnesty deal, but that would turn a crisis into a catastrophe.

"This is why I introduced the ‘Fund and Complete the Border Wall Act.' We must keep our promises to the American people. We must fund, start, and complete the border wall without further delay. I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation."

BACKGROUND:

The Fund and Complete the Border Wall Act accomplishes seven things that are vital for our border security:

  • Creates a fund to build the wall;
  • Instructs the Secretary of Homeland Security to take such actions as may be necessary to design, test, construct, and install physical barriers, roads, and technology along the international land border between the United States and Mexico to prevent illegal crossings in all areas;
  • Penalizes foreign aid to Mexico and other countries by $2,000 for every illegal alien that is apprehended. The held back funds are redirected to the border wall fund;
  • Charges a fee for all money transfers when receivers are outside the United States. Collected fees go to the border wall fund;
  • Increases I-94 fees from $6 to $25. The higher fees fund Border Patrol salaries and the border wall fund;
  • Provides regulatory relief from burdensome actions that could be used to prevent wall construction;
  • Restores overtime pay for Border Patrol at same rate as all other DHS law enforcement agencies (restoring Fair Labor Standards Act).

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Congressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.