Speech #1140008778

I thank my colleague from Georgia for organizing this very important discussion that we are having here today. Three weeks ago. this House passed a bill to fund the lawful operations of the Department of Homeland Security. Our bill provides nearly $40 billion for the protection of our Nation. with a $100 million increase for border security and $600 million more for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Democrats in the Senate. however. now refuse to vote on funding these important programs because they are insisting on funding President Obamas unlawful amnesty order for 5 million illegal aliens. The dollars that hardworking taxpayers send to Washington should not be used to fund any unlawful order. including President Obamas amnesty order. And how do we know that the Presidents action is unlawful? Well. I remember what the President said repeatedly. For example. in 2011. the President said: With respect to the notion that I can just suspend deportations through executive order. that is just not the case because there are laws on the books that Congress has passed. For me to simply. through executive order. ignore those congressional mandates would not conform with my appropriate role as President. Funding for the Department of Homeland Security runs out in 16 days.