BORDER COMMON SENSE

On 2025-03-26, Representative Tracey Mann (R-KS-1) delivered a floor speech titled "BORDER COMMON SENSE" in the House. The speech addressed immigration and also covered the environment, crime and justice.

BORDER COMMON SENSE

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025)] [House] [Page H1282] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] {time} 1045 BORDER COMMON SENSE (Mr. Mann of Kansas was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, since President Trump was sworn in, illegal crossings have plummeted at our southern border. This past February saw the lowest level of illegal crossings ever recorded in our Nation's history, down 94 percent from February 2024 and 96 percent from the all-time high under the Biden administration. Along the Del Rio Sector of the border, there was a 98.8 percent decrease in apprehensions compared to the highest day under President Biden. For 4 years, President Biden and radical progressive activists tried to blame President Trump and congressional Republicans for the crisis at the Nation's border. It turns out the only thing we needed all along was a President who doesn't run from common sense and isn't afraid to enforce the law. Thankfully, President Trump is not afraid. Just last week, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, will resume construction of President Trump's border wall. Border Patrol agents have told us again and again that a physical barrier on our southern border is a key deterrent to the trafficking of humans and illicit drugs by the Mexican cartels across our southern border. Yet, on day one of his Presidency, President Biden stopped construction of the border wall. President Trump is gladly reversing this madness and making our border secure. President Biden's failed leadership continuously put innocent American lives at risk as nearly 400 individuals whose names appeared on the terrorist watch list attempted to enter the country and gang members from MS-13 and Tren de Aragua invaded the interior of the U.S. Some of these monsters took the lives of innocent Americans, like Laken Riley and Jocelyn Nungaray. While President Biden barely expressed empathy for the lives he put at risk, President Trump took action, deporting these violent criminals and gang members from the start of his Presidency. On November 5, 2024, 77 million Americans, including myself, voted to restore commonsense border policies to our Nation's Capital. The President is providing that common sense, and I am deeply grateful to have his strong leadership back in the White House. I thank President Trump for standing for our country and securing our border. Promises made, promises kept. Honoring Craig Beam Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of an American patriot, Craig Beam. I congratulate Craig on his well-deserved retirement from the U.S. Marshals Service. When most Americans hear of a fugitive on the run, their natural instinct is to protect their loved ones within and avoid coming across the wanted criminal at all costs. Craig's approach to protecting his family and loved ones is a little different. When danger or bad actors present themselves to our communities, Craig has run toward them and worked swiftly with his fellow marshals to remove these criminals from the streets. In August 1993, a convicted marijuana grower walked into the Frank Carlson Federal Building in Topeka, Kansas, for his sentencing. What was a normal day in Topeka suddenly turned into gunfire and tragedy as the convict's car and his person were covered with explosives and pipe bombs. As building staff hid in fear, Craig and his fellow law enforcement agents put their fear aside to get innocent civilians to safety. In all, five Kansans were injured that day, and a court officer, Gene Goldsberry, was tragically killed. Deputy Marshal Beam and three of his fellow marshals were recognized for their heroism with the Director's Distinguished Service Award. Serving in law enforcement and the U.S. Marshals Service is a selfless calling, and for the last 34 years, Craig Beam has done it effortlessly. Not many people openly run toward danger and put their safety at risk for the sake of their communities, but for Craig, it is second nature. I thank Craig for his selflessness and for 34 years of dedication to keep Kansas safe. I congratulate Craig on his retirement. ____________________