WASHINGTON, D.C. – On February 5, 2016 U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) returned to Texas’ southern border in response to the Department of Homeland Security’s recent report, which shows a 30% increase in border crossings compared to the previous year.  Johnson and fellow Border Security Caucus members were briefed by the Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol as well as the Texas Department of Public Safety.  In addition, Johnson toured the Rio Grande River by boat to see the security challenges firsthand.

Following the briefings and tour, Johnson released the following statement:

"While this certainly wasn't my first trip to Texas' southern border, the new surge of illegal aliens over the past few months is why I made this trip today. It's no secret that Obama's lawless executive amnesty is having devastating impacts not only on Texas border cities but across the country.  That's why I've been hard at work in Washington to stop illegal immigration and Obama’s amnesty.  As part of that effort I've introduced several pieces of legislation such as my bill, the No Amnesty Tax Refunds for Illegals Act, which was just signed into law.  I and my fellow Border Caucus colleagues most sacred duty is to protect our homeland and every citizen in it.  I spent 29 years as a fighter pilot and seven as a POW doing just that.  And the House Border Caucus will continue to fight to keep America safe."

In Washington, D.C., Congressman Johnson is hard at working fighting Obama’s executive amnesty.  Below are some of his recent key efforts:

Introducing legislation:

• NOW LAW! On March 4, 2015, Johnson introduced H.R. 1298, the No Amnesty Tax “Refunds” for Illegals Act.  During a February 2015 hearing IRS Commissioner John Koskinen confirmed in response to Congressman Johnson’s questions that under the President’s executive amnesty the IRS can take hard-earned taxpayer dollars and hand them out as amnesty tax “refunds” to illegal immigrants.  Congressman Johnson introduced H.R. 1298 to stop illegals from receiving up to $24,000 in tax “refunds” from the IRS.  On December 18, 2015, the PATH Act was signed into law, which included the No Amnesty Tax “Refunds” for Illegals Act.

• On May 14, 2015, Johnson re-introduced H.R. 2334, a bill to stop illegals from claiming the $1,000 refundable child tax credit.  Right now, the IRS doesn’t require Social Security numbers for this credit.  In fact, the Inspector General has said that, as a result, this refundable credit can encourage illegals to come here.  To stop this, Congressman Johnson’s bill would simply require individuals to provide their Social Security numbers to get the refundable credit.  On December 18, 2015, the PATH Act was signed into law, which included a provision of this bill that would prohibit individuals who commit fraud from being able to claim the child tax credit for ten years.

• On April 23, 2015, Johnson re-introduced H.R. 1996, the No Social Security Numbers for Illegal Aliens Act.  Under Obama’s executive amnesty, illegals can get work permits that would then enable them to get Social Security numbers as well as Social Security benefits.  This is wrong and unfair to the law abiding and hardworking American taxpayer.  As Chairman of the Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, Congressman Johnson reintroduced H.R. 1996, which would prohibit Obama from handing out Social Security numbers to illegals. (He originally introduced this legislation on December 1, 2014.)

Votes on the House Floor:

• On December 18, 2015, Congressman Johnson opposed the Omnibus because it failed to defund the President’s executive amnesty.
• On June 3, 2015, Congressman Johnson voted for Representative Steve King’s (R-IA) amendment to H.R. 2578, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill.  This amendment would have prohibited the Obama Administration from using federal funds to defend itself against the lawsuit Texas initiated to challenge the President’s 2014 executive amnesty in court.  (State of Texas, et a. v. United States of America.)
• On March 3, 2015, Congressman Johnson voted against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill, H.R. 240, because it did not stop President Obama’s executive amnesty. Unfortunately, this bill passed by a vote of 257 to 167.
• On January 14, 2015, Congressman Johnson voted in support of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill, H.R. 240, which included provisions to prohibit the President from carrying out his executive amnesty program.
• On December 11, 2014, Congressman Johnson voted against the CR/Omnibus bill because it did nothing to stop President Obama’s amnesty actions.
• On December 4, 2014, Congressman Johnson voted for H.R. 5759, the Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act, to prohibit President Obama from granting amnesty to illegal immigrants.