Press Releases

Wittman on National Emergency Declaration

WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) released this statement after voting “no” on H.J. Res. 46:

“The current situation at our southern border is a border security and humanitarian crisis. I have heard from numerous US Border Patrol agents, whose personal accounts confirm what we already know, the conditions at the border demand action. Allowing this crisis at our border to continue presents a significant threat to national security, the safety of Americans, and the rule of law in our nation. The president, standing by his commitment to secure the border, is using his clear authority as it was given to him by Congress through the National Emergency Act of 1976. My vote today was an acknowledgement of this authority to declare a national emergency and address our critical national security issue at the southern border.

“As efforts are underway to fund border security, we cannot forget that we have made significant progress in rebuilding our military. We cannot allow funds to be used for purposes other than those specially directed by the Congress. I will continue to work in a bipartisan way to assure that funds for our men and women in uniform are not redirected for other purposes.”

Congressman Wittman is committed to addressing the clear crisis at our southern border. From October 2017 through July 2018, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 6,423 pounds of cocaine, 532 pounds of heroin, 439,531 pounds of marijuana, 10,382 pounds of methamphetamine, and 332 pounds of fentanyl. On average last year, the Department of Homeland Security prevented 10 individuals tied to terror—known or suspected terrorists—each day from traveling or attempting to travel to the United States. Congressman Wittman is adamant that we cannot forget the cost of not addressing this issue of border security, as we can see through human trafficking victims, the victims of drug addiction and the Angel Families who have lost loved ones.

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.

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