[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2534]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     THREE DAYS UNTIL THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SHUTDOWN

  (Mr. KILDEE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, well, there are only 3 days left until the 
Department of Homeland Security shuts down, forcing thousands of TSA, 
Customs, Border Patrol, and Secret Service agents to put their lives on 
the line to protect American citizens without being paid.
  This has gone on far too far. We have taken weeks of time on the 
floor of this House, waiting for what we know ultimately would be 
passed, and that is a clean Homeland Security bill.
  Every Democrat has cosponsored legislation to fully fund this 
Department, without trying to overreach and get through the 
appropriations process that which the majority is unwilling to do 
legislatively.
  If you were so interested in immigration policy, the majority would 
long ago have brought comprehensive immigration reform to the floor of 
the House. Have we seen that? No--neither have we seen any legislation 
that the American people are really looking for, legislation that would 
put America back to work, build new infrastructure, and create jobs in 
this country.
  This has gone on far too far. We have got to get this essential 
function of government fully funded and get back to the business that 
the American people sent us to.
  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 out its essential mission.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As the Chair previously advised, that 
request cannot be entertained absent appropriate clearance.

                          ____________________