{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/bice-introduces-safe-border-act", "Bice Introduces SAFE Border Act", "2021-12-02", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK-05) today introduced H.R. 6120, the Securing American Families from Exploitation at the Border Act, or SAFE Border Act.\n\nThis legislation would transfer $75 million of unobligated border construction funds that have gone unused by the Biden Administration to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish the Southern Border Landowner Security Grant Program. This grant program would enable American families living in high-risk areas of the U.S.- Mexico border to strengthen their own physical security against property damage, theft or other losses. The grant program would also provide modest compensation to landowners who have experienced property damage, theft, or other losses.\n\nJoining Rep. Bice as original cosponsors on the bill are Reps. Brian Babin (TX -36), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Kevin Hern (OK-01), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Frank Lucas (OK-03), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), August Pfluger (TX-11), and Randy Weber (TX-14).\n\n\u201cEarlier this year I visited the Del Rio Sector of the border and saw with my own eyes the damage illegal border crossings continue to cause in our southern border communities. Something must be done to protect American citizens who live on or near the border,\" said Rep. Bice. \"Since the Biden administration has chosen to halt construction of the wall, and refuses to effectively address the border crisis, Congress must find other ways to help people protect their property and this legislation will assist.\"\n\nThe grant program would provide competitive grants to individuals based on their losses or their unmet security needs. In addition, applicants would be required to submit specific documentation to substantiate their claims to apply for the funds from FEMA.\n\n\u201cIllegal border crossings continue to be a major issue in the states that border Mexico. This legislation provides a pathway to help landowners who are at risk or who have already been impacted,\" Bice said.\n\nIn addition to support from House members, Rep. Bice\u2019s legislation has also received endorsements from the National Border Patrol Council, South Texans\u2019 Property Rights Association, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and Oklahoma Cattlemen\u2019s Association.\n\n\u201cFarm Bureau members in our neighboring southern border states have repeatedly asked for help with the serious issues related to trespassing, theft and damage they face when illegal migrants cross their property. Oklahoma Farm Bureau is thankful Congresswoman Bice is willing to defend private property rights with this commonsense plan that would offer much-needed assistance to impacted landowners,\u201d said Rodd Moesel, president, Oklahoma Farm Bureau.\n\n\u201cTexas Farm Bureau (TFB) members continue suffering devastating losses due to the surge in illegal immigration,\u201d said TFB President Russell Boening. \u201cMany hardworking farm and ranch families have shared examples of property damage, vandalization, stolen equipment, security concerns and more. We appreciate Congresswoman Bice for visiting the Texas-Mexico border to learn about these issues and introducing the SAFE Border Act to help provide needed assistance to landowners impacted by the border crisis.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/bice-introduces-safe-border-act"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8573760278522968, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}