Congressman Don Davis Votes to Secure the Border and Combat Drug Cartels

June 28, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) issued the following statement after he voted to support H.R. 8752, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2025, which the U.S. House of Representatives passed by a margin of 212-203.

“The border crisis has left our nation vulnerable to national security risks. At the same time, the American people are crying out for Congress to address this,” said Congressman Don Davis. “I have visited the border three times. It’s difficult for border patrol personnel to keep up when there are surges of unlawful migrant crossings and insufficient staffing and technology to handle the crisis.”

The funding bill includes robust funding for existing and new border security technology, including fentanyl detection equipment, overtime pay for border patrol agents, and worker protections for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel.

“While the Homeland Security funding bill is imperfect, it is a step in the right direction. As negotiations continue, I look forward to supporting bipartisan legislation that secures our border and tackles the opioid crisis,” said Congressman Davis.

Congressman Davis also secured $138.5 million in funding for C-130J Coast Guard aircraft, creating jobs at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, located in North Carolina’s First Congressional District. In May, Congressman Davis co-led a bipartisan letter to House Appropriators requesting full funding of the C-130Js.

Key provisions of H.R. 8752 include:

$160 million for Border Patrol overtime
$300 million for new border security technology
$171.4 million to sustain current border security technology programs
$8 million increase for fentanyl detection capabilities
$138.5 million for an additional C-130J aircraft to enhance maritime domain awareness, search and rescue, and logistics support for Coast Guard operations

Since taking office, Congressman Davis has developed a track record of supporting border security measures and taking on the fentanyl crisis. In July 2023, he introduced H.R. 4988, the Modern Authentication of Pharmaceuticals (MAP) Act, a bill to cut down on the flow of counterfeit substances, namely fentanyl. In 2022 alone, authorities seized more than 50.6 million prescription pills laced with the deadly narcotic.

Congressman Davis delivered a speech on the importance of prioritizing border security on the U.S. House floor on June 26, 2024. It is available here.
Congressman Davis’ voting record on border security can be foundhere.

Congressman Don Davis is a 1994 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and a U.S. Air Force Veteran. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee and is the Vice Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Readiness.

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