DHS Shutdown Ends
The U.S. House yesterday passed legislation funding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security except for its immigration enforcement operations. Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, issued the following statement:
“House Republicans finally passed a bill that was available all along – funding for DHS without additional money for the out-of-control and already over-funded ICE and CPD. Democrats deserve great credit for standing firm on principle and refusing to fund ICE and CPD in the absence of meaningful reform. More than anything, this is a victory for the people, from Minnesota and across the country, who have shined a light on and stood up to ICE and CPD’s brutality and demanded, No More.
“In the wake of this win, passing the reconciliation bill is even more absurd. Nevertheless when Republicans return from recess on May 12, they will attempt to move $140 billion to fund their mass deportation and cruelty agenda – even while many Americans are still struggling with paying their bills. Every lawmaker must reject this unnecessary action.”
NPR reported on the funding measure:
The House of Representatives voted yesterday to reopen the majority of the Department of Homeland Security, ending the longest agency shutdown in U.S. history. The House passed a bill funding DHS, excluding dollars for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. The measure was approved through a voice vote on the 76th day of the shutdown. After federal agents killed two U.S. citizens in January, Democrats pulled their support for a massive bipartisan spending bill that included DHS in order to push for reforms in the way agents do their jobs. |
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