Alan Lowenthal: “As the sign points out, today marks 17 days until the Department of Homeland Security shuts down, leaving our Nation's…”

“As the sign points out, today marks 17 days until the Department of Homeland Security shuts down, leaving our Nation's national security at risk. Why is DHS closing down? It is closing down for the reason that it is being held hostage because it is riddled with immigration policy riders which, as we all know, have a zero chance of being signed by the President. If funding lapses, our Nation's ports of entry will be severely impacted. For example, I represent the Port of Long Beach. They will not be able to upgrade their communications and their surveillance systems unless DHS continues and is able to put out grant funding. That is unacceptable and also very unwise. The Senate has made clear that it will not accept the current bill and will not pass that bill in its Chamber. It is now time for the Republican leadership in this House to end their political grandstanding and bring up a clean DHS bill immediately. ____________________”