RELEASE: Fleischmann States Funding Package Provides Installment Towards Ongoing Border Wall Construction

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) issued the following statement after voting in support of the Conference Report to Accompany H.J. Res 31 – Consolidated Appropriations Act:

"Throughout conference negotiations, I advocated for the highest dollar amount of funding for the border wall," said Congressman Fleischmann. "Additionally, I fought to ensure that there was not an internal enforcement cap on ICE beds, which I viewed as a nonstarter.

"In this bill, there is funding for 55 miles of new border wall to address the top three priority points along the Rio Grande Valley. Although I would have preferred to fully fund the President's request, which I voted to fulfill previously, this package provides a substantial installment towards the ongoing border wall construction and additional technology. This legislation also supports the men and women of ICE by giving them the tools they need to do their job. Included in this legislation is an increase in the number of detention beds, by up to 18%, which allows for our immigration enforcement officials to respond to current dangers and have the resources to prepare for future spikes in illegal immigration.

"It is important to note that I did not vote for this funding package because I believed it was the final answer to the crisis at our southern border. However, I could not support another harmful government shutdown and therefore I voted in support of the bill. It was an honor to be part of the conference committee and have the immense responsibility to come up with a bipartisan and bicameral funding package. Tonight's vote was not the end in the border security discussion, and I will continue to support a strong, safe, and secure southern border."

In addition to providing funding for homeland security, the FY19 Consolidated Appropriations Act fully funds the 6 remaining appropriations bills and includes:

• Increases in the number of immigration judge teams from 395 at the end of FY18 to 534;
• More than $9 billion for international security assistance programs such as antiterrorism programs;
• Strong support of Israel by fully funding the Memorandum of Understanding;
• Conservative pro-life language from bills enacted under a Republican majority;
• More than $3.7 billion for rural development programs to assist with job creation and economic development;
• Over $400 million for the support of overdose-reversal drugs, programs to target at-risk youth, and additional funding to fight opioid abuse.