Roybal-Allard and Lowey Announce Untied Democratic Support for Clean Homeland Security Bill

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, and Congresswoman Nita Lowey (NY-17), Ranking Democrat on the full Appropriations Committee, today announced united support of all 188 voting Democrats for their bill H.R. 861, a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security that does not include poison pill riders regarding the President’s executive actions on immigration.

“Our clean Homeland Security funding bill will keep our nation safe,” said Rep. Roybal-Allard.  “Every Democrat has co-sponsored this bill, so we have the votes to pass it with only 30 Republican votes.  The Republican leadership should correct their dangerous strategy and stop threatening our national security.  I call on my Republican colleagues to join Democrats in living up to our responsibility as Members of Congress, and put the safety of the American people first by immediately passing our bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security for 2015.”

“It is past time for Republican leadership to end this reckless charade,” said Rep. Lowey.  “Every single House Democrat would vote for an agreement – negotiated and agreed to by House and Senate Republicans and Democrats in December – that would keep our homeland secure.  Only 30 responsible Republican votes would be needed to prevent a shutdown that risks weakening our ability to prevent and respond to a disaster.  We can and must pass this bill now.”

Only four legislative days remain before funding for the Department of Homeland Security expires on February 28th, and the Republican majority continues to flounder without a plan for funding agencies that keep our borders, aviation system, and communities safe.  During these dangerous times, allowing a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security is reckless and irresponsible.

H.R. 861, introduced by Reps. Roybal-Allard and Lowey, would fund the Department of Homeland Security through the end of Fiscal Year 2015, ensuring that Border Patrol Agents, TSA security screeners, active duty Coast Guard military members, and Secret Service law enforcement agents and officers would still receive paychecks for protecting the American people. 

The bill does not include poison pill amendments passed in H.R. 240 affecting the President’s executive actions on immigration, on which the Senate has failed three times to get cloture.

With all 188 voting Democrats signed on as cosponsors to the legislation, only 30 Republican votes would be needed to keep critical agencies funded.

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