Lubbock Times

House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) has submitted a letter to Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Phillip Swagel, requesting a comprehensive analysis of the budgetary effects of the border crisis. This request follows a House Budget Committee hearing titled "The Cost of the Border Crisis," where members examined the fiscal implications of President Biden's open border policies.

The letter expresses concerns from House Budget Committee Republicans regarding CBO's omission of the economic costs associated with mass illegal migration in their baseline report. While the report includes economic and revenue contributions from mass illegal migration, it fails to account for direct spending effects on federal programs and other costs incurred by the federal government, all of which are ultimately borne by taxpayers.

"CBO fails to recognize that mass illegal immigration does not come with a zero-dollar price tag," reads part of the letter. It further emphasizes that "any comprehensive cost analysis, particularly of this magnitude, should examine the totality of any budgetary effects."

Chairman Arrington is seeking an analysis similar to one provided by the Federation for American Immigration Reform to ensure a thorough understanding of the total fiscal impact.

In his opening remarks during the "Cost of the Border Crisis" hearing, Chairman Arrington stated: “CBO, in order to do their job by providing the full picture and accurate information for us as lawmakers to make decisions and value judgments, is to have the ability to have the full net cost. That $150 billion is in no CBO analysis whatsoever. But the benefits seem a little odd and biased to me. As long as I am Chairman, I will ensure that the full picture is represented so my Democrat colleagues, my Republican colleagues, and us as a committee can deal with facts and make decisions accordingly.”

The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 established CBO. The House rules state that oversight of CBO falls under the responsibility of House Budget Committee. As a steward of fiscal responsibility, Chairman Arrington pledges to ensure that CBO incorporates the full budgetary impact of immigration policies.