Rep. Michael Cloud expects the House to approve a Senate reconciliation package providing nearly $70 billion in funding for the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Justice through the end of President Donald Trump’s term.
The Texas Republican called the measure “long overdue” and critical for securing the border and protecting the homeland.
“We shouldn’t have gotten to this point. But this just shows you where the DEMs are, that this is not a priority for them at all, and they’ll do anything they can to hamstring the president in this.”
Cloud predicted the bill will pass but said Congress should pursue broader immigration reforms.
“We still have a lot to do on the congressional side, legislative side, to close those loopholes that Biden took advantage of,” he said.
He added: “We trust the president. He’s going to keep this border secure. But what about the next Biden that comes along?”
Cloud said he wants provisions from H.R. 2, the House Republican border security bill, attached to the legislation to help codify Trump’s border work.
Asked about potential Democratic efforts to delay the bill, Cloud said Republicans should have the votes needed for passage.
“If any House Republican votes with the Democrats on this, they shouldn’t be a House Republican,” he said.
Cloud argued the legislation would provide stability for immigration enforcement by removing funding battles from the political arena.
“The big thing here is it makes sure that this doesn’t become a political football again throughout the rest of the Trump administration,” he said.
“They want to do anything they can to run out the clock on an effective president who’s doing tremendous work for the American people. They would rather see this president fail than America succeed.”
Cloud emphasized the distinction between legal and illegal entry into the United States.
“There’s a right way to come to this country and there’s a wrong way to come to this country,” he said. “We’re going to crack down on the criminal element of it and get illegal aliens out of this country. If you’re one of those who want to come here, do it the right way.”
Cloud also highlighted his family’s immigration background, noting that his wife is a naturalized citizen and that legal immigrants came to this country because they love it.
