Rep. Israel Offers Clean Alternative to Republican's Dangerous Homeland Security Appropriations Bill

Press Release

Today, Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) offered a final amendment on the House floor to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill to provide a clean alternative funding bill instead one riddled with partisan politics that puts our homeland security at risk. Rep. Israel's amendment to the bill would fully fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) without the five divisive amendments that Republicans attached to the homeland security funding measure that was on the House floor today.

Israel said, "We committed ourselves to work together to strengthen our homeland security, not as Democrats, not as Republicans, but as Members of Congress whose constituents expect us to keep them safe. This bill is not about homeland security, this bill is about Republican political security. Do the right thing, my colleagues, and vote for this motion to recommit and take the politics, the ugly politics out of keeping the American people safe."

Rep. Israel's final amendment, also known as a Motion to Recommit, would not have killed the bill or sent it back to committee. Rather, if it had been adopted, the bill would have immediately proceeded to final passage, as amended.

Specifically, his motion would ensure passage of a clean Homeland Security bill, providing $39.67 billion in funding, which is a $400 million increase from 2014 funding levels. This includes critical funding for first responders. The bill also includes an additional $3 million for fusion centers. These fusion centers, which are located in every state, gather, receive, analyze, and share threat information among federal, state, and tribal law enforcement and other public safety partners.

Ultimately, Rep. Israel's motion was struck down by a vote, 184-244. The Republican-passed bill is not expected to pass in the Senate, with Senate Democrats threatening a Filibuster and some Republicans saying they will join in opposition.

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