President Biden is urging Congress to provide additional funding to address multiple national security concerns, including bolstering the southwest U.S. border, according to a fact sheet released by the White House. The President's request for supplemental funding aims to strengthen enforcement measures and support various aspects of national and global security.
One of the key focuses of the requested funding is border security. The Biden-Harris Administration is calling on Congress to provide essential resources to law enforcement for securing the U.S. southwest border, with an emphasis on curbing the flow of fentanyl into the country and implementing a strategic regional migration approach. The President stated that more funding is needed to strengthen enforcement measures.
The requested funding includes provisions to bolster border patrol efforts. It aims to add an extra 1,300 border patrol agents, supplementing the existing 20,200. Additionally, over 100 advanced inspection machines will be deployed at ports of entry to detect fentanyl. The funding also seeks to add 1,000 law enforcement personnel with investigative capabilities targeting drug cartels. Furthermore, it aims to increase the number of asylum officers by 1,600 to fast-track the adjudication of asylum claims, and add 375 new immigration judge teams to expedite immigration case processing and reduce backlog.
In addition to addressing border security, the supplemental funding request also focuses on broader national and global security concerns. The fact sheet highlights the continued support for Israel in the aftermath of terrorist attacks by Hamas and support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. Resources will also be directed to counter the increasing security demands in the Indo-Pacific, primarily concerning China.
The President's supplemental funding request also includes investment in the American defense industrial base. This investment aims to maintain military readiness and support American jobs. The funding will be used to produce critically important munitions and other equipment. Additionally, the request aims to provide an alternative to China's coercive lending practices by mobilizing hundreds of billions from international finance institutions to support developing countries.
The Biden-Harris Administration is calling for comprehensive Congressional action to reinforce various facets of national and global security. The Administration seeks to balance domestic priorities like border security with broader geopolitical concerns. Congress's response to this call for supplemental funding will be pivotal in shaping the nation's approach to these pressing issues.
