Speech #CREC-2017-06-28-pt1-PgH5244_t23

PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, this is an interesting issue with the canvas in the back of the entire immigration laws that need to be addressed. This body--not the body at the other end of the building, this body-- didn't have the guts to address it 4 years ago, 3 years ago, 2 years ago, nor this year. This is something that we need to address, even though it is not the bill itself. I am a strong supporter of law enforcement. As co-chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus, I rise in total opposition to this bill and the rule. Here is what the misguided goal of this bill would do: You are going to prove a point by penalizing law enforcement for immigration policies politicians in their city have to implement. That is what you want to do. So it absolves us down here in Washington. This bill threatens the central Federal funding streams for law enforcement. You have heard all of those programs that are being endangered. Any grant administered by the Department of Justice or the Department of Homeland Security that is substantially related to law enforcement, terrorism, national security, immigration, or naturalization you are putting on the chopping block if this bill becomes law. This bill would not make our communities safer. In fact, it undermines public safety. The funding this bill puts at risk allows local police departments to purchase equipment and hire and provide training for officers. This actually jeopardizes the security--read my lips--of communities in order to perpetuate a false narrative about immigrants. I just received a letter from the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association. I think it says it better than anything I could say.