Reps. Israel, Crowley, Jeffries and Rice Demand House Republicans Put New Yorkers' Safety Ahead of Partisan Politics

Press Release

With the Department of Homeland Security funding set to expire in four days, Reps. Steve Israel (D-Huntington), Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) and Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City) demanded that House Republicans put politics aside and join Democrats in passing a clean Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill. DHS funding is set to expire at midnight on Saturday, February 28th, resulting in approximately 30,000 employee furloughs and a halt in crucial research and development on counterterrorism measures. Aside from these furloughs, thousands of essential employees tasked with protecting American lives will be forced to remain on the job without pay. The Members reiterated the disastrous effects a lapse in DHS funding will have on New York including pending local homeland security grants, and urged Republicans to join them in supporting a clean funding bill, which could pass immediately if House Republicans allowed it to be brought to a vote.

Rep. Israel said, "Republicans are flirting with literal disaster by letting a faction of their caucus hold the security of the American people hostage. Given the recent attacks in Europe and the increased threat on the United States, it would be unconscionable to shut down DHS at a time when we need it most. Thousands of New Yorkers tasked with keeping us safe will have to go to work and not collect a pay check when funding runs out because of a dangerous and derisive political strategy. I refuse to stand idly by as my constituents are used as pawns in a reckless political game; instead, Republicans should join Democrats in immediately passing a clean funding bill to show our enemies that we are united in keeping Americans safe."

"The clock is ticking, and if Republicans succeed at shutting down the Department of Homeland Security, the impact will be felt far and wide -- including right here in New York City. Sadly, we New Yorkers are no strangers to terrorism, and shutting down DHS puts at risk federal grants that fund a wide range of anti-terrorism programs that help the NYPD, FDNY, Port Authority, and other agencies prevent, prepare for, and respond to threats against our city," said Rep. Joe Crowley. "I was proud to help start the Urban Area Security Initiative that forms the backbone of federal-state cooperation on defending major urban areas, so to see Republican leaders flippantly dismiss real security concerns is deeply frustrating. Republican leaders are playing with fire by refusing to fund DHS, and New York had better not get burned. It doesn't have to be this way -- there is still time for Republicans to do the right thing and fund the very agency that's trusted to protect the American people."

Rep. Jeffries said, "Once again, the GOP is taking our nation on a collision course that will damage the safety and security of the American people at a time when terrorists across the world are determined to do us harm. It is reckless and irresponsible. The American people want us to focus on bigger pay checks, good-paying jobs and strengthening the middle class. Let's get back to doing the business of the American people and fund the Department of Homeland Security."

"Defunding the agency that maintains our national security is not responsible governance," said Rep. Kathleen Rice. "The responsible thing to do is to fully fund DHS by passing a new bill with no political add-ons. There are plenty of people on the other side of the aisle who agree - enough that we could pass a bill today and give DHS the funding and certainty they need to do their jobs. So let's be reasonable and responsible and pass a new bill. That's what the American people expect and that's what they deserve."

If DHS funding expires approximately 30,000 homeland security personnel are projected to be furloughed. In addition more than 50,000 essential TSA employees will report to work without pay, including approximately 1,000 based at LaGuardia and approximately 2,000 based at JFK Airport. If passed, a clean spending bill would fully fund the DHS through the fiscal year.