Lucille Roybal-Allard: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise again to urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question on…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise again to urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question on the rule, amend it, and make in order H.R. 861. We are just 3 days away from the Department of Homeland Security being without the funds it needs to protect our Nation. Secretary Johnson and agency heads have warned us that if the continuing resolution to fund the Department expires, national security operations will be disrupted and essential personnel will be required to work without pay. They also warn that passing another CR will not address the uncertainty of being able to meet our long-term security needs. Democrats have a responsible solution. Two weeks ago, Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Nita Lowey and I introduced H.R. 861, which contains the precise language of the November 2014 bipartisan bill negotiated in good faith by the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittees. H.R. 861 is cosponsored by every House Democrat. This bill would pass the House, pass the Senate, and be signed into law by the President. All it needs is for the Republican leadership to do the responsible thing and bring H.R. 861 to the floor for a vote. By doing this, we will demonstrate to the American people that we know our Nation's security takes priority over politics and unrelated policy debates.…”