Bennie Thompson: “This bill does not provide the Secretary of Homeland Security authority to issue a waiver from funding restrictions if…”

“This bill does not provide the Secretary of Homeland Security authority to issue a waiver from funding restrictions if it is in the interest of America's national security. Without this waiver, we just cannot get behind this bill. We need to allow the experts, those at DHS, to determine what is in the best interest of our national security. This waiver was part of this bill when it was reported out of committee last Congress and supported by Democrats. Its absence in this bill today is a fatal flaw. Madam Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Magaziner) to discuss better versions of this bill.”