Lucille Roybal-Allard: “Democrats understand the critical responsibility we have to keep our government funded and to serve the needs of the…”

“Democrats understand the critical responsibility we have to keep our government funded and to serve the needs of the American people. But House Republicans are driving our Nation to the brink of another disastrous government shutdown. Republicans, who control the House, the Senate, and the White House, have the power to keep our government open. Yet, at a time of great economic uncertainty and right in the middle of the holiday season, Republicans are refusing to stand up to the President who made it clear he would be proud to shut down the government if he cannot force American taxpayers to spend billions of dollars on an immoral, ineffective, and expensive wall. The fact is that serious homeland security vulnerabilities will not be addressed if the President is allowed to squander $5.7 billion on a border wall. This includes not being able to hire more law enforcement agents to focus on opioid, gang, trade, and child exploitation investigations; no funding to recapitalize the Coast Guard's air and sea fleets, including the procurement of our first heavy icebreaker since the 1970s. As Arctic ice recedes, Russia, China, and other countries are winning the race to lay claim to the vast resources of that region where, at times, there is no U.S. presence. There will be no funding to hire additional Customs officers to intercept illicit drugs and other contraband, almost all of which comes into our country through the ports of entry. Mr.…”