Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I rise today to express my disappointment that the DHS Appropriations bill provides $68 million in funding for 287(g)--a redundant, controversial immigration enforcement program. I will be offering an amendment later today to cut $10 million from this unnecessary program and use those funds to increase CBP staffing at our nation's airports. I would like to express my frustration that the legislation we are considering today, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, provides $68 million for the 287(g)--a superfluous and controversial program that allows local police to act like federal agents. It does not make any sense to waste $68 million on a program that will not help us fix our immigration system nor secure our country. Because of this, today, I will be proposing an amendment that will cut $10 million from this program and use that money to increase the number of customs agents in our airports. This would reduce long lines and unacceptable delays, promoting commerce and tourism and furthering our economic recovery.”