Washington, D.C…Speaker Kevin McCarthy, along with additional Members of the House Republican Conference, held a press conference after the passage of H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act.  At the press conference, Speaker McCarthy called on Senate Democrats and President Biden to stand with the families of victims of fentanyl poisoning, the agents that guard our southern border, and the American people by supporting the Secure the Border Act.

Remarks as prepared below, or you may watch online here.

“Moments ago, House Republicans passed the strongest border security bill this country has ever seen.

“This bill secures the border from President Biden’s record crossings, record carelessness, and record chaos.

“Securing the border is one of my top priorities. And it is a priority of every member of our conference.

“By passing H.R. 2, House Republicans have shown we’re focused on addressing our nation’s biggest challenges.

“By contrast, the White House had two years to plan for the end of Title 42.

“We all knew the deadline. But the White House produced no plan, missed the deadline, and bumbled into another crisis.

“Even President Biden – who has only been to the border one time in 50 years – says, ‘there is going to be chaos for a little while.’

“Since the White House keeps missing deadlines, here’s how did it:

“We identified the problem rather than ignoring it. We listened to the American people. And then, we took action.

“Two of our committees held hearings at the border – Homeland Security and Judiciary.

“We talked to border patrol agents. Heard the frustration in their voices and saw the exhaustion in their faces.

“But House Democrats chose to skip every hearing.

“If they had attended, I believe they would have voted with us. You cannot listen to what we heard and vote against stronger border security.

“Do-nothing Democrats must not continue to repeat this pattern on the debt limit.

“Tomorrow will be the 100th Day since I first sat down with President Biden.

“We all know the deadline for default: June 1.

“We’re in this situation because Inflation Democrats added $6 trillion to our national debt.

“The House passed a plan to avoid default, cap spending, grow the economy, and responsibly raise the debt limit 15 days ago.

“But President Biden and Senator Schumer are stuck on ‘no’. They have no plan, no proposed cuts, and no clue.

“Apparently, President Biden doesn’t want a deal, he wants a default.

“Mr. President, my message is simple: do not miss another deadline, like you did with Title 42.

“It’s time to act responsibly.”