As the U.S. Congress returns from its six-week recess with a rapidly approaching September 30 deadline for renewing federal funding approval, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) has taken a firm stance. Roy is using his congressional platform to draw a line in the sand regarding the unresolved border crisis, articulating a bold message: “No border security, no funding.”
Roy has emphasized the troubling repercussions of the government’s inability to secure the southern border. Citing issues like the dominance of criminal cartels, escalating threats to ranchers and small towns, and the concerning influx of fentanyl into U.S. communities, the Texas congressman paints a dire portrait of an unchecked frontier. “Federal funding expires on September 30. He stated that ” passing a full-year DHS appropriations bill without forcing the significant change necessary to secure the southern border is equally objectionable,” indicating the tangible risks of continuing the status quo.
“Simply put, no member of Congress should agree to fund a federal agency at war with his state and people.” #NoSecurityNoFunding
— Rep. Chip Roy Press Office (@RepChipRoy) August 8, 2023
Moreover, the urgency for funding is intensified by the current political landscape. The House, which currently holds a razor-thin Republican majority of 222-212, sees a potential split within the party. Some members, like Roy, are staunchly opposed to the traditional “continuing resolution” strategy, which would maintain current funding and policies. Such a divide could endanger securing essential appropriations, causing a governmental stalemate.
Roy’s core contention rests on four specific conditions for supporting spending legislation:
- President Biden must sign H.R. 2, hailed by Republicans as the “strongest border security bill” in recent decades,
- The adoption of strategies empowering law enforcement and the military to tackle menacing cartels,
- A clear call for the removal, resignation, or firing of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and
- Reimbursement to Texas for $10 billion expended in Operation Lonestar and associated border security endeavors.
However, Roy’s demands could prove problematic. With a divided House and the Senate projected to kick off bipartisan appropriations bills upon return, it’s a challenging terrain for advocates of stringent border security. The already intricate interplay between party hardliners and centrists in the House has made forward momentum on the fiscal 2024 appropriations bills more elusive.
For some, Rep. Roy’s unwavering stance represents a beacon of hope in a political landscape marred by compromise and, at times, complacency. His dedication to the border issue underscores a broader sentiment within a faction of the Republican party that prioritizes national security and the welfare of American citizens. As Roy puts it, “No member of Congress should agree to fund a federal agency at war with his state and people.”
As September 30 nears, the U.S. Congress faces a pivotal decision. Will they align with America First members like Chip Roy, advocating for strict measures and definitive action? Or will they choose a path of continued deliberation and potential gridlock?
