Congressman Biggs’ Reaction to President Trump’s Oval Office Address

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, President Donald J. Trump addressed the nation, continuing to make the case for border security. Congressman Biggs issued the following statement:

"I applaud President Trump for using his first Oval Office address to highlight the urgent need to build the wall and secure our southern border. Illegal aliens are streaming into this country. Some commit crimes and leave tragedy and tears in their wake.

"Our Border Patrol agents are understaffed and do not have the necessary resources to adequately protect Americans. President Trump stated the facts in his speech tonight: In the last two years, ICE officers made 266,000 arrests of illegal aliens with criminal histories—including 100,000 assaults, 30,000 sex crimes and 4,000 violent murders.

"My friends and fellow Arizonans, Mary Ann Mendoza and Steve Ronnebeck, each lost their sons to this senseless violence.

"Congressional Democrats know they should secure the border, but they do not want President Trump to lead this charge. In opposing his efforts, they are putting politics above the security of Americans. By shutting down the government over their partisan demands, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi refuse to fund the government and send timely paychecks to those who are faithfully serving America. I call on my friends across the aisle to lay aside partisanship to give the Commander in Chief the resources he needs to keep America safe."

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Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.