On the recordFebruary 18, 2011
The CR that we are debating here, and have been for the last couple of days, strikes the right balance between sustaining programs that are crucial to our Nation's security and keeping our discretionary spending in check. This CR doesn't make a choice between fiscal discipline and security. It supports both, and it does so in a responsible manner. In fact, the CR significantly reduces the funding available to the Department of Homeland Security by more than $1 billion, and it fully pays for FEMA's $1.6 billion disaster relief shortfall. Madam Chair, this CR attempts to carefully cut the fat out of the Department of Homeland Security and does so in a way that does not harm vital security operations. The gentleman's amendment cuts everything across the Department, and that is both unnecessary and potentially harmful, especially at a time of heightened threats and terrorist activity.
