WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The Trump administration wants a big boost in funding for its immigration agenda. On Tuesday Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testified in front of lawmakers to discuss that request.
The White House is asking Congress to appropriate $175 billion in new funding for its border enforcement efforts.
Congressman Tom Cole says the Republican controlled House needs to pass a package that allows the Trump administration to continue its immigration crackdown.
“It’s imperative that Investments for Effective border security enforcement are strong,” Cole said.
House committees have already drafted legislation to give more money to the Trump administration for immigration policies. Their bill includes $46 billion for border wall construction and more than $6 billion to hire and retain new Homeland Security employees, including border patrol agents.
The new funding package also has more money for mass deportations.
“Considering the amount of people that are in the country illegally, many of them perpetuating crimes, we need the resources to continue doing what president Trump has promised the American people to get these individuals out of our country,” Noem said.
In a Tuesday hearing Democrats pressed Noem on some of the administration’s more controversial tactics.
Rep. Lauren Underwood accused the administration of exceeding its authority to carry out new immigration policies.
“You’ve wasted hundreds of millions of dollars on illegal detention and deportation,” Underwood said.
Various lawmakers also raised concerns about the Administration’s plans to cut some of the money going to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
This comes after President Trump had suggested eliminating FEMA altogether. Rep. Rosa DeLauro told Noem that would be harmful for communities who rely on that help after disasters.
“Both yourself, and the president really want to dismantle the federal government and the agencies that have provided service to the American people for decades,” DeLauro said.
Though Noem argues the Trump administration just wants to give control over disaster relief to the states.
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