Speech #1140007588

Not everyone got what they wanted. but the bill funded Homeland Security priorities at levels that would ensure that the Department could fulfill its mission. Then. sadly. politics came into play. Some Members of the House Republican caucus demanded that the Homeland Security bill be removed from the larger budget because of immigration issues. They didnt like the Presidents Executive action on immigration. Now the entire Department is funded on a shortterm basis through February 27. which is just 23 days from now. Last month the House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill to fund Homeland Security. but they added politically divisive language that rolls back protections for immigrant children. among other antiimmigrant measures. It also would roll back some of the efforts for surveillance and efforts to address illegal immigrants who are committing crimes when they come into this country. Because of these controversial immigration riders. President Obama immediately announced that he would veto the Housepassed bill. Last week. the entire Democratic caucus of the Senate signed a letter to Majority Leader MCCONNELL urging him to put the security of our Nation first. to put politics aside. and to work with us to pass a clean Homeland Security funding bill without controversial immigration riders attachedto pass a bill the President can sign. I ask unanimous consent to have the letter from the Senate Democratic caucus printed in the RECORD.