Washington, DC (Aug. 1, 2014) Congressman Steve Pearce released this statement following the House of Representative's vote to pass the emergency funding bill to address the humanitarian and national security crisis at the southern border.

"The House action taken today will help secure the border, provides the President with the funds necessary for humanitarian aid for children and families, ensures speedy judicial hearings for those who claim credible fear as the reason for entering our country, and allows the National Guard to provide support in the border crisis," said Congressman Steve Pearce.

"We did not have the votes yesterday to pass this legislation. I feel leadership made the prudent choice to keep the House working instead of allowing members to return to their districts for the August work period. This was a difficult but thoughtful process. With this vote the House has given a response that is in the best interest of our national security."

"We stayed the course and kept our promise to America," Pearce continued. "I join my colleagues, and the American people, in urging the Senate and the President to act on this legislation. The President must start listening to the will of the people."

"The serious and long-term issues of immigration reform and border security legislation remain. We must strive to get that work done. Our nation needs these issues to be addressed. We owe it to our nation," Pearce said.

NOTE: H.R. 5230, the House Border Crisis Supplemental Package, will provide $405 million for the Department of Homeland Security to boost border security and law enforcement, $22 million to accelerate judicial proceedings for immigrants, $70 million for National Guard border efforts, $197 million for the Department of Health and Human Services to provide temporary housing and humanitarian assistance to unaccompanied minors, and $40 million in repatriation assistance to Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. The bill also amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, so unaccompanied children from all countries are treated the same. The bill also places restrictions the government from housing immigrant children on military bases. Much of the appropriation funding made in this bill is offset through reductions in foreign aid.