Byrne Introduces 50 Votes for the Wall Act

Press Release

Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) recently introduced legislation to create a pathway toward securing our borders by building a wall on the southern border of the United States.

Byrne's bill, known as the 50 Votes for the Wall Act (H.R. 7073), would use the budget reconciliation process to overcome a threatened filibuster by Senate Democrats. Budget reconciliation allows bills to pass out of the Senate with only 50 votes, while almost all other Senate bills require 60 votes. Budget reconciliation was the same process used to pass tax reform last year. The bill would also fully fund the border wall, eliminating the possibility that Democrats could bottle up funding in future appropriations bills, and direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to finalize construction before the beginning of President Trump's second term.

Congressman Byrne said: "Border security is national security, and we cannot allow Democrats to continue to block our efforts to build a wall along our southern border. That is why I am introducing the 50 Votes for the Wall Act, which creates a process to overcome the Democrat obstruction and move forward with plans to construct President Donald Trump's border wall.

"Sixty-three million Americans voted for President Trump with the promise of building a wall because they want us to finally secure our borders. With the 50 Votes for the Wall Act, we can make the wall a reality and ensure the safety of the American people."

The bill has earned the support of FAIR, a leading immigration reform organization. FAIR Government Relations Director RJ Hauman said, "Even though President Trump and Congressional Republicans have a clear mandate from the American people, Democrat obstructionists have repeatedly blocked border wall funding and are once again threatening to do so in December. This is why it is important to pursue other avenues to ensure that the border wall is funded once and for all. One such avenue is Congressman Bradley Byrne's Fifty Votes for the Wall Act -- which provides a unique and filibuster-proof funding mechanism for the border wall. FAIR applauds Congressman Byrne for introducing this legislation, and recognizing that Democrat obstruction poses a significant national security risk."

Congressman Byrne's bill is sponsored by fifteen of his Republican colleagues, including Mo Brooks (R-AL), Mike Rogers (R-AL), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Michael Burgess (R-TX), Francis Rooney (R-FL), Brian Babin (R-TX), Jim Banks (R-IN), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Bill Posey (R-FL), Alex Mooney (R-WV), Scott DesJarlais (R-TN), and Lamar Smith (R-TX).

Click here to read the 50 Votes for the Wall Act.

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