On the recordFebruary 11, 2015
In these challenging times, as we work to protect the country from the security threats we face, I call on the Republican leadership to bring a clean bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security to the floor. As a senior member of the Committee on Homeland Security, I know that DHS plays a vital role in protecting us from threats like ISIL, and I strongly support those who defend our Nation, go to work every day to protect us, and particularly those who put their lives on the line. Protecting the homeland extends beyond conventional acts of terror to things like cybersecurity, an area that I am deeply concerned about. Through endeavors like the National Cybersecurity Communications and Integration Center and US-CERT, DHS partners with industry to defend us against attacks and works to protect and assist Federal agencies from cyber assault. Mr. Speaker, the attack on Sony and Anthem's massive data breach underscore the need for the robust cybersecurity activities supported by DHS. For the majority to prevent DHS' hardworking employees from being paid or undertaking new projects is politics trumping policy, and I urge my Republican colleagues to abandon their misguided strategy and bring a clean bill to the floor that will appropriately fund DHS. ____________________
