Walz Calls for Clean Vote to Fund Department of Homeland Security

Washington, DC [2/19/15] –Today, Representative Tim Walz (D-MN) called on Speaker Boehner to stop the political games and bring forward H.R. 861, a clean bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), for an up or down vote. Walz is a co-sponsor of H.R. 861.

“While we work to address how we confront the growing threat of ISIL, the last thing we need right now is to shut down the Department of Homeland Security because the Majority wants to make a political statement to the President,” Walz said. “That’s not governing, it’s reckless and irresponsible. If Republicans want to have a debate about immigration, we can do that. We should do that. What we shouldn’t do is force a shutdown of DHS, which will force many to work without pay while shuttering important offices tasked with keeping America safe.”

Last week, House Republicans unanimously voted to block consideration of the clean bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, even after it was clear that Senate Republicans’ would not have the votes to pass the House’s anti-immigration bill.  As of February 19, there are only 4 legislative days until the Department of Homeland Security shuts down, closing down the bulk of DHS’s management and support of the homeland security infrastructure that was built following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Consequences of a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security include: shuttering the DHS Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, which would no longer alert and coordinate with local law enforcement agencies, and withholding the Securing the Cities grants that pay for critical nuclear detection capabilities in cities across the country; halting Research and Development work on countermeasures to devastating biological threats, on nuclear detection equipment,  and on cargo and passenger screening technologies; crippling FEMA’s preparations for future disasters, furloughing 22 percent of FEMA personnel; and ending FEMA training activities with local law enforcement for Weapons of Mass Destruction events.

H.R. 861, the bill introduced by Democrats and co-sponsored by Rep. Walz, would avert a shutdown and provide long-term funding to the Department of Homeland Security.

“It’s time to end the Majority’s self-made crisis, keep Americans safe, and start talking about things we can do together, like investing in our crumbling infrastructure to create jobs and grow our economy,” said Walz.

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