Speech #1140007946

I understand the important role that the Department of Homeland Security plays in protecting our Nation at its borders and in our communities. As the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. I also understand the substantial amount of resources it takes to fund Customs and Border Protection. FEMA. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. the Coast Guard. and TSA. It was not all that long ago. President Obama criticized Congressional Republicans by saying it was time to. "get out of the habit of governing by crisis." Well. here we are just shy of a month before funding for the Department of Homeland Security expires. This bill has already passed the House with substantial support and now the Senate has the time to debate it. amend it. and pass it. However. nobody will get a chance to offer amendments unless our colleagues join us in allowing debate to begin on this bill. I also believe President Obama acted unconstitutionally with his Executive actions on immigration last year. A number of my colleagues feel the same way and this bill is an opportunity for the Senate to debate and fix this administrations failure to enforce the law. I do not buy the arguments that the Senate should consider its own bill to fund the Department.