Ranking Member Cuellar Statement to House Rules Committee on the 2024 Homeland Security Funding Bill

Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the House Rules Committee in opposition to Republicans' 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill:

- As Prepared For Delivery -

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Ranking Member McGovern, for having me here today.

Mr. Chairman – Democrats and Republicans had a deal when we passed the debt limit bill.

House Republicans are backing away from this deal of just a few months ago to achieve extreme demands that would harm the American people.

And now, the House remains in chaos as Republican in-fighting threatens a government shutdown.

As the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I want to acknowledge that the men and women who serve on the frontlines at the Department of Homeland Security are working hard every day to protect the country.

Our job is to ensure they have the resources necessary to carry-out their missions, to protect their health and safety, and to ensure they receive a paycheck – on time – for their service to this country.

Mr. Chairman, I have concerns about the fiscal year 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill under consideration today—

Despite the inclusion of a few important, bipartisan investments and reporting requirements, there are funding decisions and policy riders that I simply cannot support.

When it comes to the border, the bill relies on outdated strategies that, as a member who lives on the border, I know do not work.

For example, the bill would require $2.1 billion be rescinded and reappropriated for wall construction, a 14th century solution to a 21st century challenge.

The bill strips funding for the shelter and services program, which supports border communities like mine and nonprofit organizations dealing with increased migration.

It eliminates necessary border security and management funding, such as processing capacity and funding for migrant care, personnel overtime, transportation, and other costs.

The bill also reduces funding for oversight of our immigration detention facilities, and it cuts funding for the Family Reunification Task Force.

Further, it provides no funding to USCIS to help reduce application backlogs and help Lawful Permanent Residents become citizens.

It also includes several harmful policy riders on which we will not agree.

Mr. Chairman, I hope we end these games and instead start working together, in good faith, to avoid a shutdown and fund the government.

Thank you.