Ranking Member Thompson Statement on Passage of Government Funding Legislation
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement after the House passed the minibus government funding package:
“The bipartisan spending package the House passed today, while far from perfect, is a major advancement in funding the Department of Homeland Security. Crucially, it covers the budget shortfalls that CBP and ICE were previously facing and excludes the poison pill policy riders that Republicans were demanding.
“This legislation provides a significant increase in funding for CBP to address dramatic increases in global migration seen at the border. While most of my colleagues, including myself, realize more funding will be needed to match the Administration’s outstanding supplemental request, we were successful in pushing back against extremist voices that wanted to hold the Department hostage and inanely demanded ‘not another dime’ for DHS while insisting on draconian and cruel immigration policies. It is a shame that so many House Republicans, yet again, voted against this critical funding that will send more agents and officers to the border.
“It is also great news that the spending package makes a big step towards finally ensuring the fees TSA collects stay at TSA so it can fund its security operations as well as recent pay increases and better collective bargaining made possible by Congressional Democrats and the Biden Administration. It makes good on the promise we made to TSA's frontline workforce that we won't leave them behind and will continue to fund these efforts.
“However, not every component of DHS is receiving a plus up in funding this year. We need to make sure that CISA has the resources necessary to counter evolving cyber threats, especially from China and Russia. I am troubled that its funding will be cut slightly as it continues to face an onslaught of misinformation and slander from right wing voices that denigrate its good work in keeping our networks and infrastructure secure.
“I also am concerned that all of FEMA’s critical homeland security grant programs received cuts. These cuts could mean lost opportunities for first-responder training, tougher choices about what protective gear and equipment communities can afford to provide first responders, and forgone opportunities to harden infrastructure from all hazards. In the face of increasing threats, we must ensure that our communities are protected and that first responders will have reliable Federal support."
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