Speech #1140011551

That package could have contained all 12 annual spending bills because all 12 were negotiated in conferencebipartisan. Democrats and Republicansand every one of them was ready to go. but an unfortunate decision was made by the leadership of this body to omit the Homeland Security bill. not because there were outstanding issues or continued disputes. That bill was stripped from the omnibus because some in this body were upset by the Presidents executive order on immigration. They even admitted the Presidents actions had little to do with the Homeland Security Appropriations bill. yet that was the choice that was made on how to proceed. The Homeland Security Appropriations bill was forced to operate under a continuing resolution instead of having a fullyear bill. Ironically. it meant that the Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. two of the agencies tasked with defending our borders and enforcing our immigration laws. had to do without the nearly $1 billion increase they would have gotten under the fullyear bill. Delaying the fullyear bill limits the Departments ability to advance the Secretarys unity of effort initiative. designed to improve coordination in our security missions. limits the ability of the Secretary to move ahead with the Southern Border and Approaches Campaign. creates uncertainty regarding ICEs capacity to detain and deport dangerous criminals. complicates the Departments ability to deal with another influx of unaccompanied children at our border stations. delays implementation of the new security upgrades at the White House and hiring increases of the U.S. Secret Service. and delays terrorism preparedness and response grants for State and local public safety personnel. I do understand that many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle feel quite strongly about the Presidents use of executive orders on immigration policy. but do they have the courage of their convictions to look the first responders they represent in the eye and tell them that they are holding up critical assistance to firefighters. law enforcement. EMTs. and emergency managers because of an ideological fight over immigration? My friends. this is disgraceful. This is irresponsible.