One Seat Ride Act

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to highlight to my colleagues what exactly is happening in New York City as a result of Joe Biden's manufactured open-borders policy and the crisis that has been created in terms of a migrant crisis in New York City.

This morning, a lot of New Yorkers woke up to the news that two of our NYPD officers were attacked by a mob of migrants. It is outrageous to think that individuals who came to this country and claim to be innocent asylum seekers would attack our police officers. That disrespect is unbelievable. Nevertheless, sadly, it is not the only time we have seen crimes like this taking place.

Now, let's remember that the individuals who are coming through the southern border are paying thousands of dollars to the drug cartels to be smuggled here. My mayor is further incentivizing this by offering housing, food, healthcare, education, legal services, and laundry services. You name it. The taxpayers are paying to house those individuals who attacked those police officers.

Nonetheless, that is not all we are seeing happen.

Mr. Speaker, let me show you a few recent headlines all in New York: Illegal immigrant bites off police sergeant's finger after DUI bust, a driving while intoxicated bust; four migrants were arrested for stealing more than $12,000 in goods from Long Island's Macy's; New York City migrant pick-pocketing teams are the newest headache for the NYPD; asylum seeker was accused of killing--of killing--another at Randall's Island migrant shelter; a migrant woman was arrested after slapping an NYPD cop. A migrant was stabbed by girlfriend in a possible love triangle; migrants are behind the boom in New York City's red light district, Democratic mayor, Eric Adams, says.

Democratic mayors are also saying this is destroying New York City. We are seeing New York City struggle to pay for this crisis that Joe Biden, again, created with his executive orders and 60 policy changes he made from the Trump administration that made our border wide-open.

Chuck Schumer in the Senate refuses to do anything. They refused to pass our bill, H.R. 2, which would end this crisis today.

I called ICE this morning, and I said that I want these individuals deported. The ones who are committing crimes like attacking our police officers, can we at least agree as Democrats, Independents, and Republicans that we should not tolerate that?

What also really concerns me is that we have caught hundreds of people on the terrorist watch list at our border. As a New Yorker from the post-9/11 world, I have to question that there are 1.8 million people who have totally evaded law enforcement. In fact, the Customs and Border Patrol union leader told us today it is probably more like 4 million. That is on top of the 8 million or so who have come, paid the cartels to come here, and have claimed asylum. We are not even talking about those people who turned themselves in. We are talking about the 4 million got-aways. We don't know who they are, where they are, and what their intentions are.

That should concern every single person in this body, particularly, the President of the United States.

TSA is allowing individuals to board planes without identification, like the American citizens have to provide when we board planes. They can use a detainer. They can use a warrant for their arrest and all sorts of other documents that are probably produced, by the way, from fake identification that they used to come over the border. That is directly against the 9/11 Commission recommendations.

The last thing I just want to talk about is that New York City is complicit because they are not complying with detainer requests.

ICE is trying to do some of its job. When these people commit crimes, NYPD arrests them, and they release them back onto the street.

Why?

It is because they are forced to by the Democratic policies put in place by my city and my State. That is unfortunate.

So, now, when these two individuals attacked the police officers, they were arrested, but they were released back onto the street. They weren't detained to be sent to deportation. In fact, now ICE has to try to go out and find them with no cooperation from local law enforcement because Democrats in New York have tied their hands.

That is unconscionable, it is unsafe, and we have to make sure that the Democrats here, the Democrats over in the Senate, and the President stop playing with fire because this is a dangerous situation.

As you know, Mr. Speaker, our ally in Israel is being attacked by terrorists. Iran is making threats against us saying they are going to commit attacks against us on our own soil. We have them attacking American soldiers at 160 different posts in the Middle East. We saw three soldiers killed by Iran proxies the other day.

Yet we are going to keep this border open like this?

It is unconscionable to me, and I expect action from the Senate.

Allowing 1.8 million people to continue to pay the cartels to come in is not border security. So we expect them to either pass our bill, the Border Security Act, or pass something that is reasonable so that we can have a real discussion and debate and seal this border and make our country secure once and for all.

Mr. Speaker, the leadership at the Department of Homeland Security under the Biden administration is a complete and dangerous failure at our southern border.

Last month, I joined nearly 60 of my House Republican colleagues to witness firsthand the Biden administration's catastrophe at Eagle Pass, Texas, in the Del Rio sector of our southern border.

After being briefed by Border Patrol at the southern border, it became clear to me that this administration has allowed dangerous terrorists, drug traffickers, child sex traffickers, and other human traffickers to enter this country easily as a result of this administration's wide open southern border policies.

In fact, since Joe Biden took office, 361 individuals whose names appear on the terrorist watch list have been apprehended attempting to cross our southern border illegally.

Who in the world knows how many from that terrorist watch list were among the millions of got-aways, people who weren't apprehended at the southern border?

In addition to these terrorists coming through our borders, more than 54,000 pounds of fentanyl has been intercepted at American borders. Now, I know fentanyl well. I am an anesthesiologist by trade. We use it in the operating room all the time. 54,000 pounds of fentanyl is enough to kill the entire human population of the planet. That is the amount that was intercepted at the southern border. Only God knows how much was not intercepted at the southern border because our Border Patrol agents, instead of patrolling the border, are processing illegal immigrants into our interior through the asylum process.

As we stood at the banks of the Rio Grande watching this catastrophe unfold at our southern border, the President of the United States that very same day that we were down there chose to help the flow of illegal immigration by actually sending his lawyers into Federal court to remove the razor wire that the Texas Department of Public Safety had put up to protect their communities from the invasion, the protection that Joe Biden was not providing to the State of Texas or to the rest of America.

Now, while speaking to the press yesterday, Joe Biden, with a straight face, declared: ``I've done all I can do. Just give me the power. . . . Give me the Border Patrol, give me the people, the judges--give me the people who can stop this and make it work right.''

Wow is all I have to say. The American people know that he refuses to admit that during his first 100 days in office, he took 94 executive actions on immigration, most notably including the halting of the construction of the border wall.

Now, I will note, Mr. Speaker, it is kind of interesting. He has got a wall around his house, but he won't put a wall around our country to protect us from invasion.

In August 2022, President Biden and his administration decided to make the border crisis worse by formally ending President Trump's successful remain in Mexico program. Yes, Mr. Speaker, the President could at any time reinstate the program under the same statutes and laws that were in place during President Trump. President Biden could reinstate remain in Mexico tonight.

I would suggest if the President is listening, Mr. President, you asked yesterday what you can do. Pick up a pen, reinstate remain in Mexico.

If that wasn't bad enough, the Biden administration announced on May 10, 2023, that it would allow for the release of migrants into the U.S. with no way to track them. Millions of people entering the United States, given identification papers, even if we really have no idea who they are, and we are not tracking them at all. That is mind-boggling to most Americans.

Make no mistake, Joe Biden absolutely has the power to stop this invasion. He is simply unwilling to do it and unwilling to use those powers.

It is a reckless dereliction of duty for the Biden administration, our border czar Kamala Harris, and Secretary Mayorkas to continually allow the cartels to smuggle both humans and fentanyl into our streets without putting an end to this crisis. It is well within his power.

Last year, in May, House Republicans passed the Secure the Border Act, a comprehensive immigration overhaul that would protect and secure the United States from illegal immigration, force the Biden administration to restart construction of the border wall, end catch and release--very important--and increase the number of Border Patrol agents to stop the flow of deadly fentanyl into this country.

House Republicans passed that bill a year ago, but Leader Schumer and the Democrats in the Senate refuse to even take up the bill for a vote. Shame on them. If President Biden were really serious about fixing the crisis at our southern border, he would end it today by reinstating the successful border policies put in place by President Trump and instructing the Senate to pass H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act passed by House Republicans, tomorrow before they go home on their weekend break.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1547) to direct the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study on the costs and benefits of commuter rail passenger transportation involving transfers, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 1547.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1547, which requires the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study analyzing the costs and benefits of providing commuter rail service that does not require riders to change trains. Furthermore, the Secretary must submit the report to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs within 1 year of the legislation enactment.

The one-seat-ride issue for commuter rail passengers is something that I championed both here and in the New Jersey State Senate. Examining this issue is a priority for my constituents who rely on New Jersey Transit.

Anyone living in the Seventh Congressional District of New Jersey or along the Raritan Valley Line can describe the difficulties of commuting to and from New York City. Seventh District residents who travel to Manhattan by train are regularly frustrated with unnecessary delays mainly due to the aged infrastructure, often making weekly commutes hours longer than they need to be.

Worsening matters, passengers traveling on the New Jersey Transit Raritan Valley Line must change trains, almost always on a different track, at Newark Penn Station to make trips to the city. During peak commute hours, Raritan Valley passengers have very little time to make their way, alongside thousands of other rushed passengers, through Newark Penn Station.

These daily transfers make trips longer and increasingly exhausting for passengers. The longer commute times cause commuters to spend less time with their families, making it more difficult to make their child's sporting events, scouting meetings, and cherished family dinners.

According to the Raritan Valley Line Coalition, the RVL makes up about 10 percent of New Jersey Transit's daily ridership systemwide.

Additionally, the impact of a one-seat-ride service has been studied in a report published by the Regional Plan Association. The report shows its impact on towns surrounding the train line in a positive way. Rail lines with one-seat-ride service into Manhattan are more desirable and encourage more development of residential housing units, retail stores, and offices located near existing train stations.

Some of the benefits of a town with a one-seat-ride option are that towns with the one-seat-ride service have fewer vacancies and a more diverse and economically viable selection of restaurants, stores, and offices in downtown, and they have increased train service westbound, allowing towns along the RVL east and west to flourish.

My hope is to get, in the future, as many commuters on rail traveling westbound in the morning as they do eastbound.

One-seat-ride on the RVL is something that my constituents and many New Jerseyans want to see become a reality before the completion of the Gateway Project years down the road.

I thank Representative Watson Coleman of New Jersey for cosponsoring this legislation, and I note this bill passed out of committee with strong bipartisan support.

Madam Speaker, I urge the support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 1547 represents an important step in improving the commuter experience for all individuals who rely on transit, and the bill also ensures, as it reviews the broad issue, that the New Jersey Transit Raritan Valley Line is examined specifically.

Madam Speaker, I urge the support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this special order.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from the great State of New York (Ms. Malliotakis).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 22 seniors in New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District. Last fall, my team and I called on the residents that I represent to nominate a senior that had distinguished themselves through the contributions they had made to our communities.

I was seeking hardworking, passionate individuals who have been living a life of public service, whether it be through their personal, professional, philanthropic, or volunteer efforts.

In December 2023, I hosted my first annual seniors of distinction program to recognize the outstanding citizenship in New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District.

I was honored to receive over 100 nominations from their friends, family, and neighbors, and had a difficult time narrowing it down to 22 senior citizens who represent all six counties in my district.

The seniors who were selected were chosen for their long history of giving back to their community and for continuing to lend their expertise, their experience, and their many talents to helping and supporting others.

Every honoree had a long list of achievements, but, more importantly, a long list of charitable, spiritual, and philanthropic activities which they devote their time and energy to every day.

Mr. Speaker, I will list these honorees:

Barbara Agins of Somerville; Raymond Chimileski of Califon; Charles Fineran of Hackettstown; Dr. Thomas Foregger of Berkeley Heights; Jeffrey H. Katz of Springfield; Linda Kale of New Providence; Dr. Ken Kutscher of Raritan Township; Shirley Lakatos of Berkeley Heights; James McCabe of Westfield; Robert and Dace McLaughlin of Basking Ridge; Howard Meyer of New Providence; Leon Moreau of Landing; Mayor Al Morgan of New Providence; Mitchell Morrison of Sparta; Barbara Perkins of Warren; Dr. Nancy Polow of Scotch Plains; Herb Waddell of Berkeley Heights; Ronald Whalin of Basking Ridge; Dr. Rudolph Willis of Warren; Rita Jordan of Branchburg; Larry Orlans of Hopatcong; and, Rheva Smickel of Belvidere.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the distinguished gentleman from the great State of New York (Mr. Langworthy).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Harris).

Mr. Speaker, I also want to highlight another piece of legislation that I am spearheading, H.R. 1547, the One Seat Ride Act, which I introduced with Representative Watson Coleman of New Jersey, and I am glad to say this legislation passed this House in December in a large bipartisan fashion.

This legislation directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct cost-benefit analysis of a one seat ride trip versus a transfer trip option during peak hours on New Jersey Transit's Raritan Valley Line. The results of this study would then be transmitted to key congressional committees.

Currently, Raritan Valley Line passengers are forced to change trains at Newark Penn Station to access New York City and to make the same change headed westbound. A one seat ride allows passengers to take one- time efficient trains from stations such as Westfield, Somerville, and Lebanon directly into New York City.

Since the bill passed in this body, we are now one step closer to paving the way for a more connected and efficient future where commuters can travel seamlessly both eastbound and westbound at all times of the day and night. For New Jerseyans, this means more time at home and less time commuting.

My priority will continue to be breaking down transportation barriers by enhancing our region's infrastructure. Again, I am proud that this bill passed the House, and I am working hard to get the Senate companion bill introduced and work its way through the Senate.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding to me tonight.

Mr. Speaker, President Biden's policies at the southern border are working if the goal has been to let more than 8 million illegal immigrants enter the country. That is more than the entire population of my home State of Tennessee. If that is the goal, then indeed his policies are working.

For example, look no further than on the campaign trail in 2019 when then-candidate Biden said to a crowd of Iowa voters: ``We could afford to take in a heartbeat another 2 million people.''

While campaigning from his basement for the job of Commander in Chief, he never hid the fact that he would use his executive authority to ``increase the total number of immigrants able to come to the United States.''

He was clear as could be. It was a promise made, a promise kept, and a promise multiplied four times over.

That quote, which can be found online in seconds, gives much-needed context as to why he issued 94 executive actions on immigration in his first 100 days in office, fought to end the Trump-era remain in Mexico policy and title 42, and why the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has released millions of illegal immigrants into our country in open disregard for the law. These actions, coupled with dozens more, continue to send a message to Latin America and around the world, including to suspected terrorists, that our borders are open.

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has willfully misused parole authority to flood communities with illegal immigrants, despite a conclusion from the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that the department could not simply parole every illegal alien they are unable to detain. Without any approval from Congress, Secretary Mayorkas has also created and expanded several parole programs. Again, this isn't a policy failure. This is their policy.

Despite the department recently admitting that 40 percent--40 percent--of catch and release migrants had disappeared, the open-border policies of this administration continue.

Americans should know that President Biden already has all of the power and authority he needs to end this crisis immediately. Just compare his numbers to President Trump's. In December, 2023, alone, DHS reported 302,000 illegal immigrant encounters at the southern border, which is a 300 percent increase from December 2020.

This marks 34 straight months where illegal immigrant encounters were higher under President Biden's administration than they ever were in a single month under President Trump.

In the last fiscal year, DHS encountered 169 people on the terrorist watch list. That set a record as it was more than fiscal years 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 combined--the majority of Trump's presidency.

The Immigration and Nationality Act, coupled with recent Supreme Court precedent, gives President Biden

ample authority to suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate. The sad reality is the President isn't asleep at the wheel when it comes to securing the border. He is alert with both hands on the wheel driving it into the ditch.

This is the America he told us he would champion. Despite his desire to usurp Congress, however, House Republicans will continue to hold his administration accountable for its unwillingness to enforce our laws. That is why House Republicans continue to push for H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, which would force President Biden to end the catch and release policy, pay more for Border Patrol agents, and restart border wall construction.

Unfortunately, even with thousands of pounds of fentanyl pouring through and thousands of young people dead, I don't believe we will see a change of heart needed by this President to secure the border. In fact, it has become apparent that we likely won't see any impactful changes at our southern border until a new President takes office. Until then, I won't hold my breath waiting for President Biden.