Failed Border Policies

Floor Speech

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Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Montana for yielding to me.

I have to start out, Mr. Speaker, and thank my friend Bruce Westerman, my colleague in the Arkansas delegation, for paying tribute on this tragedy that we witnessed in our central Arkansas area of a life lost of an honorable citizen doing the Lord's work, caring for kids every day, who tragically lost her life due to the drunk driving by an illegal alien who crossed our border more than one time without any repercussions.

I thank Congressman Westerman for his words in memory of Jennifer Morton. I join him with thoughts and prayers for her family, for her friends, for the loss of a skilled therapist at Arkansas Children's Hospital. However, Mr. Speaker, this is just emblematic of what we are confronting in this country: deaths like that, deaths from fentanyl, and massive human trafficking.

The Mexican drug cartels are making, truly, billions of dollars from those human trafficking fees of coaching, urging, pushing migrants across the southwest border of the United States to the point that there are millions entering our country illegally.

I thank my friend, Mr. Rosendale, for yielding me the time. My concern tonight that I want to highlight is the number of these that are potential terrorists in our country.

Just last year alone, 1 year, 169 individuals were caught on the terrorist screening database. That is more apprehensions, Mr. Speaker, than in the last 5 years combined. Isn't that an indication of just how open this border is?

The question is: Where are they once they cross into our country? What has become of them? They were encountered by Customs and Border Protection, they were encountered by TSA at an airport, but what has become of them? Those of us on the House Intelligence Committee and on the Homeland Security Committee have been tirelessly trying to get the answers to those most basic questions.

Since last fall, Congress has been requesting information from the executive branch to better understand the severity that this threat poses.

In my judgment, Mr. Speaker, it is a clear and present danger to our country, but how do we gauge that threat? How do we gauge the severity of it posed by known and suspected terrorists who have crossed our open southwest border at or between the ports of entry? Literally, with millions of got-aways, how are we supposed to extrapolate that risk? Is it greater because they obviously were avoiding detection, or should it be a ratio similar to what we witness today when they are encountered?

On numerous recent occasions, FBI Director Chris Wray has stated in Congressional testimony his concern about our open border and the increased threat of terrorism. He suggested that the threat of attack against Americans in the United States is at ``a whole other level,'' that is his quote, and that he sees ``blinking lights everywhere.'' That is his quote, Mr. Speaker, but it is from last fall, a year ago.

Actions speak louder than words and why his warnings have our attention. The executive branch's lack of coordinated, fused action, in my judgment, contradicts what he said.

During the annual threat assessment hearing last March, in open forum, I pressed Mr. Wray on this commonsense question: Where are these individuals? How have they been handled? Who knows about it?

Mr. Wray at that time could not answer, and to date, the FBI's responses have been less than satisfactory to the Members of Congress on the House Homeland Security Committee and Intelligence Committee.

The information is trickling in, but it is not the comprehensive, coordinated response with actions that I believe, in my judgment, our Members are seeking.

House Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner and House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green have joined me in pressing for these answers. We led a letter in April to the Government Accountability Office to review the process of identifying which terrorist watch list individuals are trying to come into our country and where they are once they are released. What is the policy there?

I have done more by adding language in the fiscal 2024 Intelligence Authorization Act to require Homeland Security and the FBI to regularly brief the Intelligence Committee on these policies, on these procedures, on just how these encounters, these individuals, are treated and how they are coordinated.

President Biden, Vice President Harris, and their agency heads bear the ultimate dereliction of duty and need to be reminded that border security isn't a partisan issue, Mr. Speaker. Border security is a national security issue.

Here we are just after the recent 23rd anniversary of 9/11, and it serves as a stark reminder that we need to immediately address where these terrorists potentially are in our country and ensure that a day like 9/11 never happens again. Congratulating Dr. Margie Scott

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Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Margie Scott, the medical director of the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, on a happy and healthy retirement.

Dr. Scott has devoted 26 years to serving veterans at the Central Arkansas VA, including 8 years as the director.

Dr. Scott orchestrated the challenging mission of providing care to nearly 70,000 veterans each year with an innovative and creative approach that has, over the years, modernized how the Central Arkansas VA operates.

The positive impact she has had is unquestionable, and the standard of care that she has set, I hope, will endure for many years to come.

I thank Dr. Scott for her steadfast commitment and service to our veterans. All of us in central Arkansas appreciate her tireless efforts that have led to veterans receiving the healthcare they rightfully deserve.

I congratulate Dr. Scott and wish her the best for a happy retirement.

Recognizing the 19th Airlift Wing's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team

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Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize members of the 19th Airlift Wing's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team for their efforts in securing dangerous military explosives during a recent traffic incident on I-40 in central Arkansas.

Based out of Little Rock Air Force Base, the 19th Airlift Wing supports the largest C-130 transport fleet in the world, providing humanitarian relief to victims of disasters and essential supplies to troops in the heart of enemy territory.

Following a tragic accident involving a tractor-trailer carrying military explosives, the 19th Airlift Wing's EOD team sprang into action, along with our State's first responders, to secure the hazardous cargo and move it away from civilian populations while also restoring use of the highway, in short order.

I was proud to meet with the airmen during my recent visit to Little Rock Air Force Base and thank them for their bravery during this incident. It was truly impressive. Hats off to these brave airmen from Team Little Rock. All of Arkansas is proud of their efforts and service to our country. Recognizing Peggy McCall

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Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Peggy McCall for the nearly two decades of devoted work with Miracle League of Arkansas, an organization that provides opportunities for children with disabilities to play America's pastime.

While working at KIDsource Therapy, Peggy realized that children with special needs and their families should be able to make the same kind of memories at the ballpark that she had with her own children.

She partnered with Rotary Club of Little Rock's Club 99 in the spring of 2005 to bring a Miracle League field to central Arkansas, and that field hosted its first season that next year in 2006.

Since then, Peggy has been the cornerstone of Miracle League of Arkansas and currently serves as executive director of the organization.

In honor of nearly two decades of work to create unforgettable memories, Miracle League's field has a new name: Peggy McCall Field.

Peggy exemplifies passion and excellence for her work in our community, and all of Arkansas is better off because of her efforts. Congratulating Lieutenant General Jonathan Stubbs

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Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Lieutenant General Jonathan Stubbs on becoming the new director of the Army National Guard.

Lieutenant General Stubbs is the first Arkansan and National Guardsman to be elevated to the rank of the Lieutenant General and the first to be assigned as the director the Army National Guard.

Governor Sanders had named General Stubbs as her adjunct general of the Arkansas National Guard.

General Stubbs' quality, his character, his work ethic, and his leadership sharpened as our own TAG and are now fully recognized nationally with this great honor of leading the Army National Guard across our Nation.

Throughout his 27 years spent serving the Arkansas National Guard, Lieutenant General Stubbs has demonstrated the extraordinary ability to inspire and lead those under his command.

Whether it is at home or deployed in defense of America's Constitution and interests, Lieutenant General Stubbs has exemplified dedication, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to our country.

Lieutenant General Stubbs knows what it takes to lead our brave men and women in uniform. Though we will miss him and his leadership at home in Arkansas, we look forward to the now impressive, positive impact that he will make in this crucial role in our national defense here in Washington. Commending George H. Dunklin, Jr.

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Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the exceptional work of a friend and great Arkansan, George H. Dunklin, Jr.

George has worked over the past four decades with conservation efforts to benefit Arkansas and the Natural State.

George has worked with Ducks Unlimited as an area chairman, president, chairman of the board of Ducks Unlimited, and has left a lasting mark on quality habitat preservation efforts for decades to come. He also has devoted time to serving as chairman of our Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

George has led a life of service to the people of Arkansas and its wildlife and their habitat. All of us from the Natural State thank him for his lifetime of hard work and tremendous dedication to waterfowl. Arkansas' reputation as a world-class place for outdoor recreation and field sports stands taller thanks to the efforts of citizens like George. Congratulating Steve Finnegan

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Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my friend Steve Finnegan on his first year of his broadcasting debut with his own radio show on 102.9 KARN in central Arkansas.

Steve is a passionate and gracious host who always strives to tell the truth and make sure that Arkansas voices are heard each Saturday from 12 to 3 central time.

Prior to his newfound radio career, Steve proudly served our Nation in the United States Army, helped lead the American Legion in Arkansas, and in the early 2010s, was CEO of Green Blue Environmental, a service- disabled, veteran-owned small business, for over a decade.

Over the past year, he has taken an impressive veteran and small business owner background and brought his voice and expertise to the people of Arkansas and beyond across KARN's Arkansas signal and its streaming reach.

Steve Finnegan is a dedicated patriot both in his service and love of country and love of our great State of Arkansas and her people.

I congratulate Steve on an outstanding accomplishment. I look forward to the show's continued success in the years ahead. Recognizing Master Sergeant Michael Hester

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Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Master Sergeant Michael Hester, a central Arkansan and member of the Arkansas National Guard.

This past August, Master Sergeant Hester was part of a six-person, all-National Guard rifle team that won the Dogs of War Trophy, a national trophy for marksmanship excellence.

Winning this revered trophy requires incredible skill and teamwork from all members of the team. Sergeant Hester served as a gunsmith and machinist for the team, playing a crucial role in the National Guard's first Dogs of War Trophy in almost four decades.

I speak for all central Arkansans when I say how proud we are of Master Sergeant Hester and his teammates for this significant achievement. Recognizing Weston Wakefield

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Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Weston Wakefield, an Arkansas teen golfer representing central Arkansas at the 2024 PURE Insurance Championship in Pebble Beach, California.

Weston started golfing when he was 8 years old and is a member of First Tee, a youth development organization that teaches life skills to kids and teens through golf.

The PURE Insurance Championship is in its 21st year and brings teens from First Tee chapters all over the country out to world famous Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Golf Course for the PGA TOUR Champions Tournament later this month.

Weston will be competing against 79 other teens from across the country for the pro-junior title. We wish him all the best luck in this tournament and will be sure to watch his continued success. Recognizing Craig Ferguson

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Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late Curtis Ferguson of Benton, Arkansas.

Mr. Ferguson's big personality and civic leadership left a big impression on everyone he met. He was truly larger than life.

Curtis passed away on June 16. Whether meeting Curtis in business, at church, or civic activities, you were smiling and glad he was helping. His family said that he had unrivaled work ethic and a big vision to match. He used these amazing character traits to create his own company, Ferguson's Furniture, and encouraged his family's entrepreneurial successes.

Curtis always had time for his family and his grandchildren. They will always remember their special trips with him and their learning experiences.

I am honored to have represented such an amazing self-made man, and I am glad I can help celebrate his life and commitment to Arkansas, Saline County, and Benton. We are all better off for this committed citizen and fun-loving business leader. Congratulating Heide Harrell

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Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my dear friend, Heide Harrell, on her nomination to be the next chair of the board of directors of the Public Relations Society of America. If elected, she would be the first Arkansan to lead the PRSA.

I had the privilege of working alongside Heide as she served for 5 years as the communication and marketing officer at my former company, Delta Trust and Bank. She serves as the director for communications for Central Arkansas Water, a metropolitan water system that serves over a half million residents.

Heide has more than 20 years of communication and marketing experience, and just last year, she received the Public Relations Society of America's Crystal Award for her significant contributions to the PR profession.

Heide exemplifies passion and excellence in her communications work and beyond, and I know she will excel if she is elected to this national role.

I congratulate Heide. All her friends, her former coworkers, and her current coworkers are very proud of this accomplishment. Open Border Is Security Threat

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