Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson told a House panel on Tuesday that Congress needs to approve his department’s fiscal appropriations request for FY ’15 or risk jeopardizing homeland security.
“Let me say this,” Johnson told the House Homeland Security Committee. “I know that there are some contemplating some form of short-term CR (continuing resolution) for the Department of Homeland Security to get us to March [2015]. That is, in my judgment, a very bad idea for homeland security because during that period of a CR we cannot engage in new starts. We’ve got some homeland security priorities that need to be funded now.”
House Republicans are reportedly putting together a plan to fund most of the federal government for FY ’15, which began on Oct. 1, while singling out agencies like DHS for a CR until the Republican-led Congress next year has time to sort out its plans to counter President Obama’s executive actions on immigration last month.
House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Tuesday told reporters that “Republicans would fight his unilateral actions,” referring to Obama’s moves on immigration. “We’re looking at a variety of options, both for right now and when Republicans control both houses of Congress next year. And we’ll continue to discuss with our members a number of options, in terms of how we will deal with this, in consultation, again, with the members, but no decisions have been made at this point.”
Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), the ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee, countered that the emerging Republican budget plan would be “dangerous and irresponsible” as it relates to DHS.
A short-term CR would hamper the Secret Service’s ability to address White House security deficiencies, hold up necessary procurement for the Coast Guard and other agencies, impede hiring and planning for Presidential candidate protection, and delay necessary investments in border security.”
The federal government is current operating under a CR that funds departments and agencies through Dec. 11.
Johnson said that until Congress passes an appropriations bill he can’t do things like hire new Secret Service agents or fund “our enhanced detention capability in Texas.” He also said he needs the help of Congress to support and build upon border security.
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the ranking member on the Homeland Security Committee, said in a statement that funding DHS through a CR will impact its ability to carry out its missions in cyber security and “unfairly punishes state and local governments and first responders who rely on federal grants for emergency management and terrorism prevention activities.”
Tuesday’s hearing did nothing to soften attitudes around the issue of immigration.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the committee chairman, said Obama’s executive actions undermine “our democratic process” and that the actions provide “amnesty” to immigrants that are in the United States illegally and only “perpetuate a cycle illegal immigration.” He also said that DHS isn’t prepared to handle the coming “wave” of illegal immigration that will flow as a result of the president’s directives.
In his opening remarks Johnson pointed to the use of executive authorities by presidents on immigration matters going back decades, adding that Obama still wants Congress to pass legislation for comprehensive immigration reform.
The Senate last year approved a bill for comprehensive immigration reform but the House hasn’t acted on the measure.