Political Quotes

“I thank the Chair. I also think it is instructive at this time to note for the Record that included in the Executive actions that Republicans are trying to defund are provisions that increase border security, prioritize enforcement resources, and ensure accountability in our immigration system. The House bill that is before us today defunds--takes away the money--for the new policy of prioritizing criminals and national security threats for removal from the United States. So one of the orders that have been issued by DHS that Republicans want to defund directs law enforcement officers to place top priority on removing national security threats, convicted felons, gang members, and illegal entrants apprehended at the border. The House bill also defunds increased and strategic border security. Another one of the memos issued by DHS is on the Southern Border and Approaches Campaign, which establishes three joint task forces to reduce the terrorism risks to the Nation, combat transnational criminal organizations, and prevent the illegal flow of people and goods along our border. So that is another part of this legislation our colleagues want to defund. It doesn't make sense, if we are concerned about border security, that we would want to pass a bill that includes measures to defund these efforts. I understand my time has expired. I certainly hope everybody understands what the bill before us, which includes those five House riders, would actually do.…”