Washington — Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement after voting in favor of The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024.

“While much more is needed to achieve operational control of the border, this bill includes key border-security policy changes that I feel are critical and time sensitive. President Biden’s progressive wave of liberal policies have been a disaster at the border and for our economy, all while more unvetted criminals pour into our communities. We must focus our undivided attention on the additional changes required to secure the border,” said Rep. Crawford.

The legislation fulfills the House Republican majority’s commitments under the Fiscal Responsibility Act and achieves additional, conservative policy victories. A few of those victories are detailed below:

Funds 22,000 border agents, which was a key demand included in the Republican-led border security bill, The Secure the Border Act.
Robustly funds Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to increase migrant detention beds from 34,000 to nearly 42,000. That will help ensure that more illegal migrants are processed appropriately and not immediately paroled into the U.S.
Prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from preventing a member of Congress from entering any detention or housing facility administered by DHS. This allows Congress to oversee what DHS is doing with illegal migrants at any time and ensures that taxpayer dollars are being used wisely.
Provides necessary funding for our nation’s brave men and women in the military and gives our troops a 5.2% pay increase.
Prohibits funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Israel has provided evidence that UNRWA employees participated in the heinous October 7th attack on innocent Israeli civilians, and there are allegations that current UNRWA employees have ties to Hamas.
Prohibits the State Department from flying flags other than the U.S. flag over diplomatic facilities.
Maintains all current, pro-life riders.
Rescinds billions of dollars in unnecessary, left-over COVID-19 funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and other Biden Administration-supported legislation.
Funds our nation’s critically important rural health programs, which directly benefit the residents of the 1st Congressional District, including those who use our rural hospitals and community health centers.
Prohibits the Biden Administration from using any Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funds to advocate for gun control, which would be in direct violation of our 2nd Amendment rights.
Prohibits the Biden Administration’s over-reaching and foolish plan to ban gas stoves in Americans’ homes.