Fitzpatrick: Ensuring Our Borders is Essential

Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) released the following statement Thursday regarding the House's bipartisan passage of the Border Safety and Security Act [H.J.Res. 79]:

"Ensuring our borders are fully staffed and protected is a vital function of the federal government. Today's bipartisan vote reflects the need to fully fund border security efforts, even during a budget impasse.

This bill provides immediate funds for programs at the Department of Homeland Security for the same rates and with the same directives as if the government was fully functional. Political roadblocks should never degrade our nation's ability to protect our borders and enforce our laws.

I continue to call on Senator Reid and the President to begin passing the backlog of legislation the House has sent them- in bipartisan fashion- to make sure that the essential functions of the government are still being executed while a path forward is negotiated."

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