On the recordFebruary 11, 2015
The President has issued an AUMF, which is the authority to determine the questions of war and peace, particularly in light of the dangers we face with ISIS. In spite of that, we are holding hostage the funding of the armor of security for this Nation, the Department of Homeland Security, the committee upon which I have sat since the horrible, heinous act of 9/11. We take our work very seriously. We know that we oversee the national security of this Nation, along with the very important aspect and leadership of our Defense Department. Every day, we are mindful of the roles that individuals play who are a part of the Department of Homeland Security. Rather than looking to be concerned about the dangers of unaccompanied children, as our Republican friends seem to be, challenging the President's thoughtful executive actions within the context of his constitutional authority, we are now using those reasons for holding hostage the very armor of domestic security. Mr. Speaker, let me tell you, the TSA officers that I see as I travel around this country are front liners. I speak to them all the time. They have protected this Nation from various attacks--or potential attacks, might I say--stopping threats that many of us are not even aware of. These very faithful workers, along with border security workers, will have to work without pay. There will have to be a reordering of the strategies of the Secretary of Homeland Security. Mr.…
