Memphis Standard

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and nine of her Republican colleagues have introduced the Creating Obstructions Necessary to Address Illegal and Nefarious Entry Rapidly (CONTAINER) Act. The act aims to empower border states to place temporary barriers on federal land to protect their communities. This comes in response to the Biden administration's request to the Supreme Court to remove razor wire placed along the southern border in Texas, as well as the ongoing dispute over the use of shipping containers as barriers.

Since President Biden took office, there have been over 8.5 million apprehensions at the southern border, turning every state into a border state," said Senator Blackburn. "Meanwhile, his administration has only exacerbated the problem by trying to stop the use of measures that will secure our border like shipping containers and razor wire. Because Joe Biden refuses to do so, it’s clear Congress must act to give border states the explicit authority to protect their communities and the sovereignty of the United States."

Senator Hyde-Smith expressed the need for states to have the right to take action to protect their citizens, stating, "The Biden administration's unwillingness or, worse, inability to do anything to stop the crisis at the border means states should have the right to take action to protect their citizens."

Senator Ricketts echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. "The humanitarian and security crisis at our southern border demands urgent and swift action, including building more border wall. Yet the Biden administration has taken action against states that attempt to do that. This must stop. This bill will give states another tool to defend themselves against illegal immigration."

Senator Budd highlighted the administration's failure to address the crisis at the southern border, stating, "The crisis at the southern border is unlike anything we've ever seen. Instead of facing this situation head-on, the Biden administration has taken states to court to block them from securing their own borders. That's wrong, and it's why Senator Blackburn's bill is so critical. It empowers states to quickly place barriers to stop the illegal flow of drugs and dangerous individuals into the United States."

Senator Cassidy emphasized the need for Congress to empower states, saying, "If governors and states are willing to step up where President Biden has failed, Congress needs to empower them. Border states should be able to place physical barriers at their border with Mexico without waiting for a dilly-dallying administration to finally get around to maybe giving an answer, and the answer is always no."

Senator Cramer criticized the administration's policies and its lawsuit against states trying to stem the flow of illegal immigration. "The Biden administration's refusal to secure our southern border has forced states to combat the crisis on their own," said Senator Cramer. "Instead of fixing its policy decisions, the administration sued states trying to stem the flow. In the face of an administration actively choosing disorder over their solemn duty to safeguard our territorial integrity, states should have the flexibility to take action when the federal government doesn't."

Senator Cruz condemned the Biden administration's policies for causing chaos at the southern border and impacting national security. "It's indefensible, and having an unprecedented impact on our communities and our national security," said Senator Cruz. "I am proud to work with Sen. Blackburn to introduce common-sense legislation that empowers states to secure their borders without relying on this radical administration's approval."

The CONTAINER Act authorizes border states to temporarily place movable, temporary structures on federal land without seeking federal approval. It also allows states to keep these structures on federal land for up to a year, with the possibility of 90-day extensions approved by the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior.

This legislation is based on Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution, which provides for the protection of states "against invasion," and Article I, Section 10, which reserves the right of states to defend themselves. The current federal law requires states to obtain authorization from the federal government before placing structures on federal land.

The introduction of the CONTAINER Act reflects the growing concerns of border states and their desire to take action to address the crisis at the southern border. As the Biden administration continues its efforts to remove razor wire and shipping containers, these border states are seeking explicit authority to protect their communities and uphold the sovereignty of the United States.

Click this link to access more information: https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2024/1/blackburn-introduces-container-act-amid-razor-wire-shipping-container-disputes-along-southern-border