Washington, D.C. — Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Republican Leader of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement on H.R. 6. 

“As I saw firsthand during my trip to the southern border last week, there is a humanitarian and security crisis that necessitates Congressional action. Unfortunately, H.R. 6 is not a valid solution. We know that empty promises incentivize illegal immigration. At a time when Customs and Border Protection officials are overwhelmed by the enormous numbers of migrants crossing the border without legal status, Democrats have clearly shown that they are the party of open borders. Their promises of unconditional amnesty this week will spur additional irregular migration.

“On the border, I learned of heinous actions by coyotes that profit from our nation’s broken immigration system. Rather than provide protections for children, H.R. 6 would incentivize bad actors to use minors as a means to cross into the U.S. without status – making innocent children pawns in human trafficking schemes.

“Instead of spending yet another week on legislation that never will become law, we should be working together to provide effective border security, fix asylum laws, and pass protections for individuals who were brought to the U.S. as minors. Republicans in Congress stand ready to work alongside Democrats to deliver commonsense solutions that stand a chance of reaching President Trump’s desk.”