Veteran Service Recognition Act of 2022

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from California for yielding the time for me to speak today.

I rise in opposition to this legislation. This bill is unnecessary and creates additional carve-outs to an already broken immigration system.

Right now, DHS can't even do their job of securing the southern border and enforcing current immigration law. Just last month, we saw the highest number of got-aways ever at the southern border. That is 73,000 individuals that evaded Border Patrol.

DHS agents and staff are overwhelmed and overworked. We should not be adding more to their plate when they already struggle to secure the border.

Now, as a veteran, I greatly appreciate those who are willing to raise their right hand and swear to protect our Nation and our Constitution, and I served with many of them.

Even though an individual is a veteran, that shouldn't excuse or create an excuse for poor judgment or criminal activity, and I fear that this bill may encourage just that.

We already have a pathway for individuals who are serving our country in uniform to stay here in the U.S. and become citizens. Instead of this bill that we are debating today, we should improve the information provided to our servicemembers during the Transition Assistance Program on how to upgrade their immigration status. Making improvements to the TAP has been and will continue to be a top priority of mine.

During that time, we could explain to them, once again, how important it is to follow the laws and the Constitution, which they fought to uphold.

Next Congress, I plan to be working on the TAP to ensure a smooth transition to civilian life for all of our servicemembers, but on this bill, I urge a ``no'' vote.

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