Chairman Graham and Judiciary Committee Republicans Introduce Resolution Honoring Men and Women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection

WASHINGTON – This week, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and the Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee introduced a Senate resolution commending the men and women of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their honorable service. 

The resolution:

• Commends the men and women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including Border Patrol personnel, Office of Field Operations personnel, Air and Marine Operations personnel, Office of Trade personnel, and all support personnel and their allies for their continued honorable service during the challenging humanitarian crisis at the Southern border; and
• Calls on Congress to pass legislation to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and to manage the increasing flow of migrants attempting to enter the United States. 

The resolution was introduced by Chairman Graham and cosponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee). 

“I’m proud to introduce this resolution. To the Border Patrol agents, you’re doing an incredible job,” said Graham. “This system is broken. It’s not a crisis, it’s a disaster. Congress has a duty to act.” 

“The officers and staff at Customs and Border Protection are working under crisis conditions with complex problems. We can’t take them or their work for granted, especially at this moment,” Grassley said. “I thank each of them for serving the American people. And we in Congress ought to be doing everything we can to support them.” 

“The men and women who apprehend and care for these migrants have been unfairly criticized and mischaracterized as bad guys," said Cornyn. “In fact, they are the heroes. The agents in the Rio Grande Valley and those along the entire border are pulling double duty as law enforcement officers and caregivers. But these dedicated agents handle these demands with professionalism and compassion.” 

“We are a nation of laws. And those laws are often difficult to enforce. But the brave men and women of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection do their best to enforce those laws and keep our country safe every day,” Lee said. “I am proud to cosponsor this resolution honoring the law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line enforcing our nation’s laws at the border.” 

“The men and women of our Border Patrol are patriots who love their country and have made selfless sacrifices to protect and defend our border to ensure the utmost safety of Texans and Americans across the country,” Cruz said. “I am grateful for the work our Border Patrol agents do to protect our country, and I am proud to co-sponsor this resolution to recognize the bravery of the men and women in green.” 

“Border security is national security and the hard-working men and women of our Border Patrol are on the front lines,” said Sasse. “These officers are working to stop human traffickers and drug smugglers and, like a whole lot of Nebraskans, I’m grateful for their bravery and integrity.” 

“The men and women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection go above and beyond to protect us,” said Hawley. “During my recent trip to the border, I saw first-hand how CBP agents continue to defend the border despite vicious attacks from congressional Democrats. These brave public servants deserve more than our thanks -- they deserve concrete action from Congress to fix our broken immigration system.” 

“When I visited the southern border earlier this week I saw the dedication and professionalism the men and women of CBP first-hand, said Tillis. “It’s evident that in midst of the current humanitarian and security crisis at the border, the rank and file professionals of CBP are being overworked and underappreciated. I’m proud to co-introduce this resolution honoring these men and women and thank them for their service to our country.”

“Having just returned from the southern border this past weekend, I saw firsthand that the humanitarian crisis there is very real—and on the ground are the dedicated, compassionate, and good-hearted men and women of Customs and Border Protection,” said Ernst. “These border agents, some of whom I met were taking dollars out of their own pockets to pay for food and other hygiene products for migrants, have an extremely difficult job and I’m grateful for their willingness to serve our great nation in this way. We need to make sure they have the support they need to address this humanitarian crisis and to keep our nation safe.” 

“The women and men of Customs and Border Protection work around the clock to ensure America’s borders are kept safe,” said Crapo. “We are currently experiencing a crisis at our southern border and their commitment to our national security remains steadfast in the face of difficult circumstances.  I commend CBP officers and personnel for their dedicated service every day.” 

“Our Border Patrol agents dedicate their lives each and every day to secure our borders and protect the American people,” said Kennedy. “I am so grateful for their work and the sacrifices that they make to keep our country safe. I am proud to cosponsor this resolution to honor the men and women of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.” 

“Our CBP officers have answered a call of duty far greater than the one they signed up for,” Blackburn said. “Instead of defending our nation’s sovereignty, they are being asked to provide medical attention for which they have not been trained and care for children who have been taken advantage of by those who wish to do them harm. To our CBP officers: know that Americans across this country support you and thank you for the extraordinary sacrifice you are giving to this country.”