SE North Carolina News

Congressman David Rouzer has introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to empower states to secure the southern border where President Biden has failed to do so. The bill, known as H.R. 7479 or the CONTAINER Act, would give border states the authority to place temporary barriers on federal land to protect against illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

Rouzer emphasized the need for stronger border security measures, stating, "No community is immune to the drugs, sex trafficking and crime these policies are incentivizing while enriching the cartels. This bill will give border states the explicit ability to erect physical barriers to protect not only their citizens, but all of America, from President Biden’s catastrophic open-border policies."

The legislation is supported by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and U.S. Congressman August Pfluger. McCaul highlighted the devastating consequences faced by border states like Texas and expressed his support for empowering state officials to secure the border. Pfluger echoed this sentiment, asserting that states have the right to secure their borders when the federal government fails to do so.

In the U.S. Senate, companion legislation is being led by several Senators including Marsha Blackburn, Ted Cruz, and Tim Scott. These lawmakers are advocating for the protection of states against invasion and the right of states to defend themselves, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

The CONTAINER Act would authorize border states to place temporary structures on federal land without prior federal approval and allow them to keep these barriers in place for up to a year, with the possibility of extensions. This legislation aims to provide states with the necessary tools to enhance border security and safeguard American communities from illegal activities.

The full text of the CONTAINER Act can be accessed for further details on the proposed measures to empower states in securing the southern border.