The United States needs to strengthen its border with Mexico and begin mass deportations as soon as possible in the name of national security, Senator Lindsey Graham has said.
The South Carolina Republican who chairs the Senate Budget Committee spoke to Fox News on Sunday about the pending budget reconciliation bill, as some in President-elect Donald Trump’s party feared he was trying to do too much at once. the time.
“I am very concerned that if we don’t prioritize the border and we don’t do it, it will be a nightmare for our national security.” Graham told Fox’s Maria Bartiromo.
“We have millions of illegal immigrants that President Trump has promised to deport, and he should. Why are we doing mass deportations? Because we had massive illegal immigration.” he added.
However, building the border wall and hiring more immigration agents will cost $100 billion, and “There is no way the Democrats are going to give us 100 billion dollars for mass deportations,” Graham said.
“I will support anything that gets us across the line, but I am concerned about the delays when it comes to border security. Delay equals danger.” he added.
The senator was in favor of increasing military spending and warned his colleagues who wanted to prioritize fiscal policy not to stop border security. “hostage” in the process.
“You are playing Russian roulette with our national security.” Graham warned.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, told Fox on Sunday that the party’s agenda involves “Dismantle the deep state” as well as cutting taxes and regulations to boost American manufacturing. He described border security, tax cuts and deregulation as key priorities of the next administration.
Trump swept the 2024 presidential election, but his party ended up with only a slim majority in the House and Senate. Republicans are now working on a funding bill that would be passed through the so-called reconciliation process, allowing it to pass without any Democratic votes.
