Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in strong support of the conference report. I want to thank Chairman Rogers, as well as Ranking Member Norman Dicks, for his leadership and their commitment as we went back to regular order in producing this agreement. Mr. Speaker, we had challenging negotiations with our colleagues from the other body, but I believe we have forged a disciplined agreement that puts a priority on limited spending and on true priorities like border security, immigration enforcement, and disaster relief while at the same time instilling robust fiscal discipline and oversight. This conference report provides a total of $39.6 billion in discretionary spending for the Department of Homeland Security. That is $4 billion below the President's request, 9.1 percent. It is $3 billion below the FY 2010, and it is $2 billion below that of last year. These are genuine reductions, not just budget gimmicks. {time} 1220 Within this contracted funding, frontline operations are made a priority as well, including funding and direction to ICE to maintain a daily detention bed capacity of 34,000 beds, which is the highest detention capacity in its history. Also, funding for the highest-ever levels of staffing for Border Patrol agents, CBP officers, and ICE agents. This conference agreement also terminates two ineffectual offices at the Department of Homeland Security.…”