[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CALLING UPON HOUSE LEADERSHIP TO PASS CLEAN DHS FUNDING BILL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2015

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, our hearts and prayers are with the 
victims of the Metrolink train crash that took place this early morning 
in Oxnard, California.
  As of right now, there are no confirmed casualties and I pray that it 
stays that way and all of the injured have a speedy recovery.
  I also wish to commend the first responders who arrived at the scene 
so rapidly to treat the victims of the crash.
  The nation can be proud of the first responders at the local, state, 
and federal level who selflessly answer the call to service and risk 
their lives to keep us safe.
  Mr. Speaker, first responders ask little in return for the risks they 
willingly incur.
  All they ask is that we support them and provide them the resources 
needed to protect the homeland.
  That is why it is absolutely critical that Speaker Boehner bring to 
the floor immediately a clean Homeland Security funding bill.
  House Republicans should stop risking the security of the homeland to 
appease the Tea Party extremist wing of their conference.
  Mr. Speaker, there are only 4 days remaining until funding for the 
Department of Homeland Security runs out.
  If House Republicans were to let that happen, DHS would be required 
to shut down much of the homeland security infrastructure put in place 
in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
  Although some DHS employees would continue to work in the event of a 
shutdown, they would be forced to do so without pay, creating 
significant disruptions and dealing a blow to morale.
  Among those who would be expected to protect Americans without 
getting paid would be:
  1. More than 40,000 Border Patrol agents and Customs and Border 
Protection officers;
  2. More than 50,000 TSA aviation security screeners;
  3. More than 13,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement law 
enforcement agents and officers;
  4. More than 40,000 active duty Coast Guard military members;
  5. More than 4,000 Secret Service law enforcement agents and 
officers.
  Mr. Speaker, it is time for House Republicans to stop politicizing 
the funding of this most essential function of the federal government 
and bring to the floor for debate and passage of a clean DHS funding 
bill so that we can keep our homeland safe.

                          ____________________