From Homeland Security Republicans:

" October was the 20th straight month with more than 150,000 encounters - a trend never before recorded and the 8th month in a row of over 200,000 encounters.

" This was the highest number of migrant encounters recorded for a single October in DHS history.

o This does not include the number of known gotaways who evaded U.S. Border Patrol last month, which DHS sources say is about 64,000, roughly 2,000 every single day.

" CBP had 230,678 migrant encounters along the Southwest border in October 2022, which included 158,639 single adults, 59,757 family units, and 12,034 unaccompanied minors.

o 7 in 10 migrants encountered at the Southwest border were single adults.

" Since President Biden has been in office, there have been over 4 million migrant encounters at the Southwest border, in addition to over 1 million known gotaways who evaded U.S. Border Patrol agents in the last two years.

o This is larger than the population of Los Angeles, California.

OCT 2022 ENCOUNTERS 230,678

OCT 2021 ENCOUNTERS 164,837

OCT 2020 ENCOUNTERS 71,929

" In just the first month of the fiscal year, 9 people whose names appear on the terror watchlist (or Terrorist Screening Dataset (TSDS)) were stopped trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border between ports of entry this fiscal year.

o This is more than encountered in all FY17, FY18, FY19, and FY20.

o Notably, more individuals on the terror watchlists were encountered between ports of entry than at ports of entry at the Southwest border last month meaning they were likely seeking to evade detection.

Children's Safety is Placed on the Line in Biden's Border Crisis

" The safety of children takes a back seat to the Biden administration's desperate attempt to gain political points by leaving the Southwest border unsecure.

o Within three days, Del Rio, Texas Border Patrol agents arrested two convicted child sex offenders shortly after they illegally entered the United States, while actively attempting to avoid detection.

o In one week, Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol agents arrested nine gang members and three sex offenders (two of whom had been convicted of crimes against children).

o CBP officers thwarted an alleged child smuggling attempt at the Hidalgo International Bridge in Texas. A 50-year-old U.S. citizen accompanied by two minor females, presented U.S. birth certificates for the two females. CBP officers determined that the birth certificates did not belong to the minors, and that they were not U.S. citizens.

Smugglers are Emboldened & Aggressive

" Illegal migrants that were released into the U.S. interior by President Biden's reckless open border policies were linked to a South American robbery gang targeting Indian Americans in Long Island, New York.

" One month into FY 2023, CBP has already arrested 2,311 individuals attempting to cross the border with criminal convictions and 62 known gang members, including 18 members of MS-13.

" In the first 12 days of October, Border Patrol agents rescued 452 migrants from perilous situations where they were locked in trunks and trailers with no means of escape.

" Texas Department of Public Safety disrupted a human smuggling attempt on October 25th. The driver attempted to smuggle 60+ illegal immigrants concealed inside a dump truck.

President Biden: Making Cartels & Traffickers Richer Since January 2021

" The Biden administration's policies act as a significant pull factor for the record-breaking number of migrants encountered at the Southwest border and provide an opportunity for cartels, traffickers, and human smugglers to profit from the resulting chaos.

o Cocaine seizures increased by 104% from September to October

o CBP continues to seize a high volume of fentanyl with almost 2,000 pounds seized in the first month of the fiscal year.

" It was reported in San Diego, California, that 2.2 tons of methamphetamines and $24 million worth of cocaine were seized at a port of entry in a two-day span.

" More than $1 million worth of illicit fentanyl was seized in one stop at the Southwest border near McAllen, TX.

" Border Patrol agents in Eagle Pass, Texas, arrested an illegal immigrant who was sneaking through a ranch while smuggling fentanyl, crystal meth, and cocaine in a backpack.

H.R. 8294 includes the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration; Energy and Water Development; Financial Services and General Government; Interior and Environment; and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bills for fiscal year 2023.

It's clear that the out-of-control spending pushed through this Congress by Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats has been a key driver of inflation. The Democrats' spending and policy priorities for FY23 are out of touch with everyday Americans.

Instead of addressing the economic crisis, Democrats are prioritizing liberal initiatives and increasing federal spending with some accounts receiving double-digit and triple-digit percentage increases, which will further fuel inflation. Spending concerns include:

20% increase for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

17% increase for general government activities, including:

$1 billion increase for the Internal Revenue Service;

433% increase for the Election Security Grants;

30% increase for the Federal Trade Commission;

20% increase for the Office of Personnel Management;

12% increase to maintain and improve federal buildings - many of which have been mostly empty for more than 2 years.

17% increase for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"Such sums" authority for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in addition to the $9 billion reserve fund if needed for unanticipated participation increases.

$6 billion for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), continuing the increased benefits that were intended to be a temporary, pandemic-related supplement to the normal program.

Instead of addressing the energy crisis and record-high gas prices, Democrats are pushing partisan climate initiatives.

Offshore oil and gas activities are restricted, and oil and gas inspection fees are increased, which will be passed on to consumers.

Energy efficiency and renewable energy activities are increased by more than 25%.

$100 million is provided for the president's proposal to use Defense Production Act authorities to accelerate domestic manufacturing of select clean energy technologies.

$75 million is allocated for public housing energy efficiency and climate resilience upgrades.

Instead of protecting life, Democrats are allowing taxpayer dollars to be used to fund abortions.

Long-standing pro-life language prohibiting the use of DC local funds and the Federal Employee Health Benefits program from funding abortions is dropped.

A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) policy that allows abortion pills to be mailed to patients is permitted to remain in place.

Instead of prioritizing national security, Democrats are increasing spending on non-defense programs by 14%.

The Sea-Launched Cruise Missile-Nuclear, which is necessary to enhance deterrence and assurance, is not funded.

Longstanding provisions prohibiting the closure of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and the use of military construction funds to build a detention center in the United States or territories are dropped.

Instead of addressing the ongoing border crisis, Democrats are encouraging illegal immigration.

Immigration checks on residents of HUD-assisted housing are prohibited.

Federal agencies are allowed to hire participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Instead of addressing the supply chain crisis, Democrats are rewarding poor performance with more taxpayer funding.

Funding for FDA, the same agency that failed to prevent the infant formula crisis, is increased 10%, while farmers and ranchers struggling with record-high costs for things like fuel and fertilizer receive little help.

The U.S. Postal Service is directed to develop a government-run banking program, even though the agency continues to struggle to handle and deliver the nation's mail.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, on the 50th anniversary of Title IX being signed into law, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.) co-authored an op-ed for FoxNews.com criticizing Democrats for dismantling Title IX protections and failing to protect women's sports. Whip Scalise and Congresswoman Lesko highlight how Democrats' misguided efforts to allow biological males to compete against biological females promotes inequality and is unfair to women athletes. Whip Scalise and Congresswoman Lesko emphasize that women and girls should be allowed a fair playing field in competitive sports by ensuring that school athletics comply with the Title IX recognition of a person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth.

Rep. Kevin Hern Budget & Spending Task Force

Our goal: Prevent a debt crisis, ensure survival of critical entitlement programs, fulfill Constitutional obligation to defend the country.

Joe Biden's lack of leadership has driven our country to the worst inflation in 40 years and the highest gas prices in history. With no budget and no accountability for their spending, Democrats in Congress are spending taxpayer dollars as fast as they can. Americans are looking to Republicans for fiscal responsibility and accountability.

The Republican Study Committee budget provides that and more. We have heard the demands of the American people and will use our Majority to implement common-sense, conservative policies to save America from a debt disaster. THE RSC SOLUTION: Common-sense reforms to reduce spending & the associated inflation.

Fund our military so they can combat the rising threat of China. Biden's military spending isn't keeping up with inflation, we're giving the military a 5% real increase.

Protect our border with a fully funded border wall. Reinstate the effective Remain in Mexico Policy and closing asylum loopholes.

Over 30 deregulatory actions and numerous proposals to oppose Biden's radical expansion of the federal government. Protect the conservative values that built our country. 23 pro-life member initiatives included - the most pro-life budget ever introduced. Protect children from Critical Race Theory and radical gender ideology - the first budget ever to prevent taxpayer dollars from going to CRT in our schools. Ensure religious liberty and First Amendment rights.

Protect our 2nd Amendment rights. Replicate the successful work requirements of the 90s across all welfare programs. Create opportunities for workers by ending welfare cliffs and marriage penalties that discourage work and stable families. End for good the Democrat policy to pay Americans to stay home.

Make the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, putting money back in the hands of American workers. Incentivize companies to keep jobs in America. With no action, Medicare will be bankrupt by 2028 & Social Security by 2034. Allow Medicare to compete with private plans, dropping premiums by 7%. Implement common-sense measures to ensure solvency for Social Security long-term with a gradual increase of the retirement age and a reduction of benefits for high-income earners.

'The Senate should only confirm Justices who will follow the text of our laws and Constitution wherever it leads. Who will leave subjective policy judgments on this side of the street where they belong. That is how we lower the temperature. That's how we shore up the courts. That's how we protect the rule of law. Staff the judiciary with brilliant men and women who understand and embrace this limited role. No other road leads anywhere good for our great nation.'

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today [April 7] on the Senate floor regarding Judge Jackson:

"President Biden was elected on the promise that he would govern as a moderate and unite the country. He insisted the radical left would not be calling the shots on his watch.

"But when it came to one of the most consequential decisions a president can make, a lifetime appointment to our highest Court, the Biden Administration let the radicals run the show.

"With Washington Democrats in power, the far left got the reckless inflationary spending they wanted. The far left has gotten the insecure border they wanted. And today, the far left will get the Supreme Court Justice they wanted.

"The fringe activists who demand partisan court-packing, attack the Justices, and describe our Constitution as 'trash' made up their minds from the start of the Biden Administration. If a Supreme Court vacancy should arise, they wanted one nominee and one nominee only: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.

"They spent dark money to promote this person specifically. They pushed her for the D.C. Circuit. Then they badgered Justice Breyer to quit.

"In February, one of these groups announced Judge Jackson would be the nominee before President Biden did. Think about that for a moment.

"The Senate has examined Judge Jackson's qualifications with the seriousness and vigor that a lifetime appointment deserves.

"Unlike when the parties' positions are reversed, the country was not subjected to uncorroborated smear campaigns, committee boycotts, stunts with cardboard cut-outs, or mobs chasing Senators around the Capitol.

"Now, a few of our Democratic colleagues seem to have decided in advance they would claim that Judge Jackson was treated shabbily. So I've heard that script recited - even though it didn't happen.

"Let's be clear: No nominee before the Senate for any position deserves a cakewalk or a coronation. Tough questions about a federal judge's own rulings and statements are the definition of fair game. My Republican colleagues' vigorous inquiry shed important light on a frequently disturbing judicial record. I applaud my colleagues for focusing on substance and not following Democrats' recent precedents into the gutter.

"Unfortunately, what the Senate's process turned up was disturbing.

"First, the nominee would not follow the Ginsburg-Breyer precedent and denounce the insane concept of partisan court-packing.

"Second, her judicial record is full of cases where Judge Jackson ruled like a policymaker implementing personal biases, instead of a judge following text where it led.

"And third, her aggressive judicial activism frequently focused on treating convicted criminals as gently as possible.

"In case after case, from deadly fentanyl to open borders to child exploitation, Judge Jackson tilted the scales of justice away from public safety and innocent victims, in favor of her career-long passion for softening up criminal sentencing. In Judge Jackson's courtroom, plain legal text and clear congressional intent were no match for what the Judge admits are her personal 'policy disagreements.'

"Even as a violent crime wave sweeps America, Democrats are pursuing a nationwide campaign to make the justice system softer on crime. They are stacking the deck with far-left prosecutors, woke warriors at the Department of Justice, and federal judges who believe criminals deserve lighter treatment. This project is terrible for innocent American families. And every piece of evidence suggests Democrats view Judge Jackson as its crown jewel.

"I'll close with this. These debates about judicial philosophy are not just academic.

"The charged political atmosphere around confirmations, the outsized role that unelected judges play in our national life - these are direct consequences of liberal judicial activism. They're direct results of the effort to misuse federal courts as a progressive legislature that voters can't kick out.

"A Republic of self-governing citizens should not spend every June watching with bated breath to see if five or six lawyers will hand down sweeping policy changes with zero basis in the written Constitution.

"And the solution is not to make the Court even more of a super-legislature, like liberals want. A delegitimizing death spiral like that would destroy the rule of law.

"There is only one solution. The Senate should only confirm Justices who will follow the text of our laws and Constitution wherever it leads. Who will leave subjective policy judgments on this side of the street where they belong.

"That is how we lower the temperature. That's how we shore up the courts. That's how we protect the rule of law.

"Staff the judiciary with brilliant men and women who understand and embrace this limited role.

"No other road leads anywhere good for our great nation."