Schakowsky Statement on Passage of Clean Homeland Security Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – Today Rep. Jan Schakowsky joined a bipartisan majority in Congress in voting for a clean bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Rep. Schakowsky released the following statement on this issue:

“Democrats have said from the very beginning, Homeland Security funding should never be used as political leverage for any reason – including the Republicans' attempt to overturn the President Obama’s executive action on immigration. Once again, the Republican leadership brought us to the brink of a shutdown. Fortunately, they were outmaneuvered by the Democratic Leader, Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Remarkably, just after the Paris attacks, Republicans started down this foolish path of playing politics with our nation’s security. Are Republicans really more afraid of immigrant children and law-abiding families than they are of ISIL or others who want to harm American citizens?

It is very disappointing that Republicans put the jobs of Border Patrol Agents and Immigration Officers – who actually address immigration issues – at risk. Coast Guard, TSA Security Screeners, Secret Service Agents and so many others were also left wondering about whether they would be able to go to work or receive their paychecks.

Now, Congress must turn its attention to what the American people really want us to focus on. We must take action to create and support good jobs, raise wages, help more people reach and remain in the middle class, and save for retirement.”