[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 25, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H1125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              DHS SHUTDOWN

  (Mr. ELLISON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, as I stand before this body today, it is 
with a tremendous amount of concern for the brave men and women who are 
protecting our country and work for the Department of Homeland 
Security. We are only about 48 hours or so away from a potential 
shutdown, and I am concerned about these people, who are going to have 
to continue to work because they are dedicated, loyal, and patriotic 
Americans but won't be getting paid if we allow this government to shut 
down.
  Now, all we have to do in this House of Representatives is to bring 
up a clean Homeland Security funding bill. That is all we have to do. 
The Senate majority leader said he would do that. So we can get this 
problem solved right away.
  This situation is being handled in the courts, and this body of ours, 
this House of Representatives, is no place to try to work out some sort 
of ideological partisan divide around immigration. This is an occasion 
for us to look out after the safety and security of the American people 
and to fund and pay the salaries of the workers who guarantee that 
security, not a time for partisan ideological chicanery.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the House bring up H.R. 
861, the clean Department of Homeland Security funding bill that would 
keep the Department open so it can carry on its mission of keeping the 
American people safe.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Duncan of Tennessee). As the Chair 
previously advised, that request cannot be entertained absent 
appropriate clearance.

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