[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 11, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H930]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FUNDING DHS
(Mr. LOWENTHAL asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, as the sign points out, today marks 17
days until the Department of Homeland Security shuts down, leaving our
Nation's national security at risk.
Why is DHS closing down? It is closing down for the reason that it is
being held hostage because it is riddled with immigration policy riders
which, as we all know, have a zero chance of being signed by the
President.
If funding lapses, our Nation's ports of entry will be severely
impacted. For example, I represent the Port of Long Beach. They will
not be able to upgrade their communications and their surveillance
systems unless DHS continues and is able to put out grant funding. That
is unacceptable and also very unwise.
The Senate has made clear that it will not accept the current bill
and will not pass that bill in its Chamber. It is now time for the
Republican leadership in this House to end their political
grandstanding and bring up a clean DHS bill immediately.
____________________