Commentary

Through his role on the House Appropriations Committee, U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-WV) has helped secure the full funding requested by President Trump to build the wall along the Mexican border.

Rep. Jenkins supported full funding for the wall – $1.6 billion – in the Fiscal Year 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which the committee approved on Tuesday afternoon. The bill also funds the hiring of 500 additional border patrol agents and 1,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement law enforcement agents. These agents will improve efforts to combat human trafficking, child exploitation and drug smuggling.

“As Americans, the security of our nation must come first. While we have a proud history of welcoming immigrants, we also have a responsibility to secure and strengthen our borders to protect our nation and our fellow citizens. I support President Trump’s plan to build a wall along our southern border, and the funding I helped secure will allow us to strengthen our national security and curb illegal immigration,” Rep. Jenkins said.

The appropriations bill also funds important West Virginia priorities, including:

• $7.3 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief account.
• $345 million for Assistance to Firefighters Grants for equipment, training, vehicles and other resources. $345 million for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants.