[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 24 (Thursday, February 12, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            GOP DHS TANTRUM

  (Mr. YARMUTH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call on my Republican 
colleagues to not let their immigration reform politics weaken border 
security, paralyze our ports, and shut down the Department of Homeland 
Security created in the wake of 9/11.
  If we do not pass a clean funding bill, more than 20 percent of FEMA 
personnel will be furloughed, crippling our ability to respond to 
disasters; management and support of our entire homeland security 
infrastructure would shut down; and essential personnel would be forced 
to work without pay.
  That is 40,000 Border Patrol agents and Customs officers risking 
their lives for free because of a political stunt. That is 50,000 TSA 
screeners who guard our nationwide travel, keeping the USA safe, yet 
going without pay because the Republican leadership is putting politics 
ahead of security. And it is more than 40,000 Active Duty Coast Guard 
officers standing guard on our shores, proudly serving a country whose 
political leaders don't seem to care if they get paid for their 
sacrifice.
  Mr. Speaker, the stakes are too high. The risk is too real. 
Republicans need to stop their anti-immigrant tantrum and end this 
dangerous game. Pass a clean DHS funding bill today to protect our 
great Nation.

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