MacArthur Supports Keeping DHS Open

Statement

Today, Congressman Tom MacArthur supported a temporary measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for one week, as well as measures to start a conference discussion between both chambers of Congress on a long-term funding bill, and instruct House conferees to only discuss options that result in the continued funding of DHS:

"As I've said throughout this process, allowing the Department of Homeland Security to shut down would be a reckless dereliction of our Constitutional duty to provide for the defense of our country," MacArthur said. "I have voted at every single opportunity to keep DHS open, and am hopeful that we can work with our counterparts in the Senate to pass a full funding bill before this next deadline."

"President Obama's illegal amnesty cannot be ignored. It's why I voted against his actions back in January, and was so pleased to see that the judicial branch was also blocking those orders," MacArthur continued. "But the unfortunate truth is that Senate Democrats, President Obama, and too many others have chosen gridlock and partisanship again and again, bringing us to the brink of a shutdown while pointing fingers at the other side of the aisle. Simply put, we cannot afford a DHS shutdown, and we cannot afford a President who disregards the Constitutional limits on his power. The judicial branch is working to restore the balance of powers, and I'm confident there will be further opportunities for us to block this amnesty. But as we've now been brought to the 11th hour, I believe it is our responsibility to the American people to prevent a DHS shutdown of any sort."

Source