Duval Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, U.S. Congressman John H. Rutherford (FL-05) released a statement regarding the markup and passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations bill by the House Appropriations Committee.

“This year’s Homeland Security Appropriations bill provides funding to protect our seaports and airports, makes investments in the cybersecurity of our nation’s critical infrastructure, supports those who protect our nation, including the brave men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and prepares the nation for major disaster response and recovery efforts," stated Rutherford.

He further emphasized that "the bill does what the Biden Administration refuses to do – protect our country’s borders – by providing $600 million for the construction of a southern border wall and funding for 22,000 Border Patrol agents and border security technology to stop the flow of illegal aliens and drugs across our border." Additionally, he noted that "this bill also forces Secretary Mayorkas to adhere to the law and funds the detention, transportation, and removal of dangerous criminal aliens from our communities."

Rutherford highlighted other key aspects of the bill: “The bill also counters our foreign adversaries, including China, and bolsters our national security by providing our U.S. Coast Guard with the resources they need to protect our waters. It focuses the Department of Homeland Security on its core responsibility of protecting the American people, not promoting equity action plans or critical race theory.”

The congressman also mentioned local benefits: “Not only does this bill bolster our homeland security, but it also brings over $2.5 million to Northeast Florida through Community Project Funding for the St. Johns Hazard Mitigation Infrastructure Improvement Project to provide long-term flood control to over 10,000 residents and 3,000 commercial properties.”

Rutherford concluded his statement by asserting his priorities: “We must put the safety and security of our homeland first, which starts with building the wall, removing dangerous criminals, protecting our coastal waters, and countering the spread of fentanyl across our border. That’s why I am proud to report this year’s Homeland Security Appropriations bill out of committee and hope to see strong support for the bill on the House Floor.”

Please find the House Appropriations Committee’s bill summary here.