WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, during the Committee on Homeland Security’s mark-up session, Congressman Rob Menendez offered two amendments to the House Republicans’ “Border Security and Enforcement Act of 2023”. Menendez’s amendments would stop taxpayer dollars from being spent on ineffective and costly border wall construction and would authorize the Biden Administration’s effective Operation Blue Lotus to continue fighting drug trafficking at the Southern Border.

“My amendments to the Republicans’ misguided border legislation would stop taxpayer dollars from being wasted on an ineffective and costly border wall, while supporting President Biden’s efforts to fight drug traffickers and stop the flow of fentanyl into our country,” said Congressman Menendez. “Both amendments address challenges along our border with a common-sense approach. While I am disappointed my colleagues on the other side of the aisle opposed the amendments, I am committed to working with Ranking Member Thompson and members of the House Committee on Homeland Security on real, comprehensive solutions for immigration reform and border security.”

Congressman Menendez’s amendments would:

• Strike Section 3 of the “Border Security and Enforcement Act of 2023” which has the potential to waste millions of taxpayer dollars on an ineffective border wall; and
• Authorize “Operation Blue Lotus,” the Biden Administration’s aggressive, effective, and targeted strategy for fighting drug trafficking at ports of entry –saving lives and holding drug dealers and smugglers accountable.

The Menendez amendments failed by roll call vote, along party lines, during the Committee on Homeland Security’s markup. Additionally, H.R. 2794, the Border Reinforcement Act of 2023, passed along party lines in the early morning on April 27, 2023. This language is expected to be brought forward for a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.

To view Congressman Menendez’s amendments, please click on the links below:

Amendment #2 “Strike Border Wall System Construction”

Amendment #19 “Operation Blue Lotus”