Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) spoke during debate on the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, H.R. 7147, to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2026.  Congresswoman Fletcher spoke in opposition to the legislation. 

Below are Congresswoman Fletcher’s remarks, which can also be viewed here.

Mr. Speaker, as the House considers this rule and the legislation it advances, I rise to remind all who are present in the chamber, all members of this body, and every person in this country that the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution states, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

And yet, all across America, from Maine to Minnesota to California, and everywhere in between, hardworking, law-abiding people in the United States—American citizens—are  living in fear of exactly this.  Afraid to go to work.  Afraid to go to church.  Afraid to go to school.  Afraid to go to the hardware store because unidentified masked agents, often in plain clothes and unmarked cars, are breaking down doors to their homes, are pulling people from their cars, are stopping people on the street and asking them to show their papers and prove they belong here.

This is not only unconstitutional, it is un-American.  And this Congress must do something to stop it.  Brave Americans are standing up and saying no all across this country.  We have to do that here and we have to do it now.  And it starts by voting no on this rule.  Thank you, and I yield back.