Burgess: GAO ruling doesn’t account for Americans safety

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Republican Leader's designee to the Budget Committee, released the following statement after the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) ruling to uphold President Biden's decision to delay Congressionally-appropriated funds to continue building a wall along our southern border.

'This decision is more than disappointing, it is upsetting,' said Burgess. 'Due to the policies of this Administration, our southern border is being flooded with undocumented migrants. Having a wall along our border will funnel these migrants to the proper points of entry, assist Border Patrol Officers as they do their jobs, and protect border cities. This humanitarian crisis is far worse than anything I have seen before, and the policies of this Administration further illuminates the 'OPEN NOW' sign that currently hangs on our border.

'These are funds that were appropriated by Congress to build the wall. What precedent does this set for future incoming Administrations to ignore the direct instructions of the American people's representatives in Congress simply because the political party in power has changed'?

'This Administration has the authority to obligate border wall funding to protect the American people. Instead, the Biden Administration claims that completing an environmental assessment, their cited reason for the delay, is more important than protecting our communities. President Biden needs to stop worrying about politics and start addressing the crisis at hand.'