[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 35 (Monday, March 2, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H1506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              DHS SHUTDOWN

  (Mr. VARGAS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. VARGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the millions of 
Americans who are concerned about the state of our national security. 
In today's world, we face many threats from foreign enemies who intend 
to do us harm. Americans expect that Congress will fulfill its duty to 
act in the best interests of those we serve. The question of whether or 
not to fund the Department of Homeland Security should never even be up 
for debate. I respect the difference of opinions some of my colleagues 
hold with respect to the President's recent executive action on 
immigration. But taking hostage a funding bill that is intended to keep 
American families safe in order to get what you want is reckless, and 
it is not the way this body was intended to function.
  Let's pass a clean DHS funding bill, and then let's have a serious 
debate on immigration. We need to find a comprehensive solution to our 
immigration challenges, and the only way to do that is by working 
together to pass a bipartisan bill. Let's utilize this Chamber to 
debate and pass meaningful legislation, and let's start right now by 
approving the Department of Homeland Security funding for the remainder 
of the fiscal year.

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