As long as the southern border's enforcement remains lax, human and drug trafficking continues to run rampant. Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) has teamedup with Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) to introduce a bill preventing individuals charged with these crimes from receiving government benefits.
Dubbed the "Stop Taxpayer Funding of Traffickers Act," this measure looks to prevent those charged with human or drug trafficking at our southern border from receiving any sort of taxpayer-funded benefit.
These include any "grant, contract, loan, professional license, or commercial license provided by an agency of the United States or by appropriated funds of the United States" along with Social Security, disability, and public housing.
However, if the charges are dropped or the suspect is acquitted, this prohibition is lifted, and the person in question receives backpay.
"Over the last two years, we've seen the horrific consequences of the Biden Border Crisis, including the devastating toll on our communities nationwide from drug and human trafficking," Rep. Cammack stated in a press release.
Additionally, Rep. Cammack describes how "in Marion County, Florida, our sheriff's department has recovered bricks of fentanyl with stamps from border cartels, alongside pill presses and sophisticated distribution plans. Our first responders gear up each day to save lives from fentanyl overdoses occurring almost daily, putting their own lives at risk."
As such, "those responsible for trafficking drugs and people into our country at our borders and in our waters should not receive federal assistance after violating our laws—not only is it wrong, but it rewards those who have perpetuated this deadly crisis," she adds.
"For two years, President Biden’s open border policies have emboldened the cartels and caused human trafficking to grow to a $13 billion industry, with criminal cartels earning up to $14 million each day. Last year alone, law enforcement seized over 14,000 pounds of fentanyl at the border, enough to kill over 3.3 billion people. We cannot continue to incentivize this blatant criminal activity. This legislation ensures that hardworking American taxpayers – already crushed by inflation – are not forced to fund the lifestyles of offenders who are making our country more dangerous," stated Sen. Blackburn.
"Pleased to join @MarshaBlackburn in introducing the Stop Taxpayer Funding of Traffickers Act today. Those who violate our laws at our borders and in our waters do not deserve federal assistance while they await prosecution and conviction," Rep. Cammack tweets.
Pleased to join @MarshaBlackburn in introducing the Stop Taxpayer Funding of Traffickers Act today. Those who violate our laws at our borders and in our waters do not deserve federal assistance while they await prosecution and conviction.https://t.co/KaM8aqreMw
— Rep. Cammack Press Office (@RepKatCammack) February 15, 2023
A second tweet adds "this legislation is particularly important, as @RepKatCammack and colleagues from @HouseCommerce host a joint Oversight & Investigations and Health Subcommittees field hearing this evening at the southern border. The Biden Border crisis is a public health crisis."
This legislation is particularly important, as @RepKatCammack and colleagues from @HouseCommerce host a joint Oversight & Investigations and Health Subcommittees field hearing this evening at the southern border. The Biden Border crisis is a public health crisis.
— Rep. Cammack Press Office (@RepKatCammack) February 15, 2023
