As we saw from the horrific terrorist attack in Paris, now is not the time to be cutting funding for programs that protect Americans from enemies intent on doing us harm. I am dismayed that some lawmakers are supporting punitive and ill- informed legislation to defund the Department of Homeland Security because they disagree with President Obama's recent executive action on the deportation of undocumented immigrants. It is wrong to play political football with something as sacred as our national security. Even if you disagree with the President's immigration policy, it is irresponsible to withhold funding from the agencies that protect Americans from terrorists. I know from my experience as ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee that this is a dangerous world. We must fully fund Homeland Security priorities--including Secret Service, the Coast Guard, and border security--through a Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill, while separately debating comprehensive immigration reform. Let's stop the ideological partisan politics and do what the American people want us to do: protect our homeland, our communities, and our families. It is time to be constructive, not obstructive. ____________________
Share & report
More from Dutch Ruppersberger
This week, the House of Representatives is expected to take up a bill reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a traditionally noncontroversial bill that improves the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against…
I now yield 2 minutes to a senior member of our committee who worked very hard on this bill, the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson). He's been with us for the last 3 years attempting to pass a bill that will help our country and…
Woman, I yield 2 minutes to a great Member from the State of Illinois (Mr. Enyart).
I thank Congressman Paulsen for his work on this bill. I support his amendment with the sense of Congress to encourage international cooperation with regard to cybersecurity whenever possible under this bill. Given that cyber threats are…





