Calling Upon House Leadership to Pass Clean DHS Funding Bill
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, our hearts and prayers are with the victims of the Metrolink train crash that took place this early morning in Oxnard, California.
As of right now, there are no confirmed casualties and I pray that it stays that way and all of the injured have a speedy recovery.
I also wish to commend the first responders who arrived at the scene so rapidly to treat the victims of the crash.
The nation can be proud of the first responders at the local, state, and federal level who selflessly answer the call to service and risk their lives to keep us safe.
Mr. Speaker, first responders ask little in return for the risks they willingly incur.
All they ask is that we support them and provide them the resources needed to protect the homeland.
That is why it is absolutely critical that Speaker Boehner bring to the floor immediately a clean Homeland Security funding bill.
House Republicans should stop risking the security of the homeland to appease the Tea Party extremist wing of their conference.
Mr. Speaker, there are only 4 days remaining until funding for the Department of Homeland Security runs out.
If House Republicans were to let that happen, DHS would be required to shut down much of the homeland security infrastructure put in place in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Although some DHS employees would continue to work in the event of a shutdown, they would be forced to do so without pay, creating significant disruptions and dealing a blow to morale.
Among those who would be expected to protect Americans without getting paid would be:
1. More than 40,000 Border Patrol agents and Customs and Border Protection officers;
2. More than 50,000 TSA aviation security screeners;
3. More than 13,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement law enforcement agents and officers;
4. More than 40,000 active duty Coast Guard military members;
5. More than 4,000 Secret Service law enforcement agents and officers.
Mr. Speaker, it is time for House Republicans to stop politicizing the funding of this most essential function of the federal government and bring to the floor for debate and passage of a clean DHS funding bill so that we can keep our homeland safe.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source