Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019--Motion

Floor Speech

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Mr. THUNE. Madam President, for weeks, Democrats repeated the same refrain: Open the government, and we will negotiate on border security.

On Friday, the government was reopened. Now it is time for Democrats to honor their promise and work with Republicans to provide adequate funding to address the security and humanitarian crisis at our border. The next 3 weeks will be a test of Democrats' seriousness about legislating. Do they really want to work with Republicans and the President on solutions? Are they willing to actually negotiate, which involves both sides making compromises, or are they more interested in obstruction? That is the question before the House.

Are they in Congress because they actually want to find solutions to challenges facing our country or are they here to score political points and oppose everything the President says or does? The answers should become pretty clear over the next 3 weeks. If Democrats meant what they said about negotiating on border security, we could produce a bill that will fulfill our responsibility to protect our borders. Make no mistake, it is a responsibility. Perhaps our greatest obligation as Members of Congress is to provide the funding and resources necessary to keep our Nation secure. No nation can be safe if it doesn't know who is coming across its borders.

Right now, we are facing a security crisis at our Nation's border. Tens of thousands of individuals try to cross our southern border illegally every single month. Illegal drugs flow into this country through ports of entry and unsecured areas of the border. The holes in our border security leave us susceptible to illegal entry by gang members, human traffickers, drug dealers, terrorists, weapons traffickers, and more. The flood of illegal immigration has also created a humanitarian crisis. Individuals attempting the journey to come here illegally are vulnerable to exploitation, illness, and abuse. Approximately, one out of every three women attempting the journey to the United States is sexually assaulted. Roughly, 70 percent of individuals become victims of violence along their way. Illness and other medical issues are also a serious problem. By failing to discourage illegal immigration, we are perpetuating this humanitarian crisis.

I hope, over the next 3 weeks, Democrats will honor their promise and come to the table on border security legislation in a real way, ready to engage in genuine negotiation and compromise so we can really address this crisis at our border. S. 1

Last night, we moved to debate on a package of four bills related to U.S. policy in the Middle East. The Senate attempted to consider these bills earlier this month, but Democrats inexplicably chose to block these bipartisan pieces of legislation on three different occasions-- three times. I am hopeful their decision last night to finally support consideration of these bills is a good sign that they are ready to turn to legislating instead of politicking.

The bill package before us this week addresses a number of key issues. First, it will further strengthen our relationship with Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East. It authorizes 10 years of military assistance funding for Israel and reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that Israel has better weapons and equipment than its enemies. It will also foster increased technological cooperation between Israel and the United States to support the security of both our countries.

This legislation will also strengthen our relationship with another important ally of ours in the Middle East, and that is the Kingdom of Jordan. At a time when Jordan is facing security and humanitarian challenges stemming from the conflict in Syria, it is particularly important that we reaffirm our commitment to this key ally. This legislation will also help hold accountable individuals who supported the atrocities of the Assad regime in Syria. It directs the Treasury Department to investigate whether the Central Bank of Syria launders money for the Syrian Government. Finally, this legislation will protect the rights of State and local governments to decline to do business with entities that have chosen to boycott Israel.

I am glad we finally moved on to these important bills, and I look forward to voting for their final passage, hopefully, in the very near future.

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