For Immediate Release:
January 23, 2019

Horn Supports Bipartisan Package to Re-open Government, with $1.6 Billion for Border Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. [1/23/2018] – Today, Congresswoman Kendra Horn voted for a new bipartisan package in the U.S. House of Representatives to re-open government and provide $1.6 billion for key border security initiatives. The bipartisan package is based on legislation previously negotiated between House and Senate Republicans and Democrats prior to the federal government shutdown.

“Today, I voted on a bipartisan bill to re-open the government so the workers and families across the 5th district can stop suffering from this government shutdown. This shutdown has affected all areas of our economy including agriculture, transportation, national security, and housing, and its consequences are being felt throughout our communities” said Congresswoman Horn. “I will continue to work every day to end this shutdown and deliver effective border security solutions. I urge the Senate to pass his bipartisan legislation to re-open the government and secure our border.”

The package includes $1.6 billion in key border security-related measures, as follows:
• $524.2 million for improvements in ports of entry: The Financial Services and General Government bill includes $524.2 million for investments in ports of entry, in order to meet the latest security requirements, improve border security, and increase capacity for vehicular traffic.
• $563.4 million for additional immigration judges: The Commerce-Justice-Science bill in the package includes $563.4 million to accelerate the recruitment and hiring of additional immigration judges, in order to address the backlog in processing immigration cases.
• $527 million for assistance to Central America: The State-Foreign Operations-Related Programs bill includes $527 million for assistance to Central America, a critical investment in addressing conditions in Central American countries that many migrants are fleeing from.

The package funds all agencies outside Homeland Security through September 30. It also includes language ensuring federal employees who are working without pay or who have been furloughed to receive back pay.