Rep. Cory Mills: ‘Shut the border, or shut down the government.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Florida Republican Rep. Cory Mills in an interview Sunday argued future appropriation bills should emphasize shutting down the border.

“Get the 12-single point Appropriation Bills with necessary cuts, reforms, economic growth strategy, and either shut the border or Shutdown the government,” Mills said.

Speaking on Fox Business, Mills stressed trying to push “12 Single Point” appropriation bills over the past year. He further indicated any passage must offer security improvements, such as border security, for the public.

“If we can’t protect the American people, then we should at least try and save them some money if Congress isn’t going to do their jobs,” Mills said.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Protection recently encountered 12,600 migrants at the southern border, a new single day record. Additionally, despite the often slow winter months, border agents have routinely witnessed 10,000 migrants a day at the border.

During Fiscal Year 2023, migrant encounters at the southern border reached 2.4 million encounters, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The figure does not include the 670,000 “gotaways” over the same period

Fellow Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz joined Mills in calling for a hardline on any appropriations package. Gaetz also referred to the representative as a “badass.”

“Rep. Mills (R-Badass) speaking some hard truths here,” Gaetz said.

Since President Joe Biden took office, 7 million migrants have attempted to cross the southern border. The surge does not include the 1.7 million “gotaways” over his term.