Rep. Collins unveils supplemental budget amendment to help nation’s southwest border crisis

U.S. Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), ranking member of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, on May 7 proposed an amendment to provide $4.5 billion in federal funding that would help federal agencies and United States military personnel address the immediate humanitarian crisis at America’s southwest border.

“The crisis at our southern border demands additional resources,” Rep. Collins said. “It’s growing every day and because of loopholes in immigration policy, the men and women who keep our nation safe remain overwhelmed and underfunded.”

Rep. Collins introduced the amendment with U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), ranking member of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee.

The amendment to the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2019, H.R. 2157, would provide the $4.5 billion in additional funds requested by the administration to respond to the humanitarian crisis and to meet border operations needs, according to the House Judiciary Committee.

The funds would be dispersed among the U.S. Army National Guard, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.

The proposed amendment’s overall $4.5 billion in federal funds would cover $3.3 billion for humanitarian assistance, including shelter capacity for unaccompanied children, care for children in custody and transportation to border processing centers; $1.1 billion for operational support, including personnel, transportation and resources; and $178 million for technology upgrades and law enforcement pay adjustments, according to the text of the amendment provided by the Judiciary Committee.

“Beyond providing more resources, we must repair the policy loopholes fueling the crisis,” added Rep. Collins earlier this week.