McClellan Statement on Senate Deal to Fund Department of Homeland Security and House Vote

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after she voted against a House Republican continuing resolution to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), for 60 days:

"On Valentine's Day, Congressional Republicans let DHS funding lapse rather than adopt common-sense reforms to protect individual constitutional rights and address the public safety crisis created by overly aggressive and poorly trained ICE and CBP agents that led to the deaths of Ruben Ray Martinez, Renee Good, Alex Pretti and at least 40 people within their custody. Since then, employees at TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard and cybersecurity professionals have worked unpaid while a nearly $200 billion slush fund in the Big Ugly Law has enabled ICE and CBP to continue their aggressive mass deportation campaign.

"For weeks, House and Senate Democrats called on Republicans to end the chaos of their partial government shutdown by passing a bill to fund DHS, with the exception of ICE and CBP. Early this morning, the Senate finally did so unanimously. I stood ready to vote for that bill.

"Instead, House Republicans rejected the Senate's bipartisan deal and advanced a partisan bill funding DHS for 60 days with no ICE and CBP reforms, knowing full well that package is dead on arrival in the Senate. House Republicans have chosen to force TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard and cybersecurity professionals to continue working without pay because they refuse to address the Trump Administration's campaign of terror. Over the last year, we have watched ICE and CBP agents operate with impunity, entering homes without judicial warrants and using deadly force. We must implement accountability measures that keep these agencies in check.

"I offer my sincere thanks to our TSA, FEMA and Coast Guard workforce, who have endured over a month of unnecessary hardship amidst skyrocketing prices. They should not have to pay the price for House Republicans' blatant disregard for their lives and livelihoods. I'll continue pushing for reforms that protect public safety and enforce the rule of law. And until we can ensure that our federal agencies operate with the accountability the American people deserve, I will not vote to give another cent to ICE and CBP."

Congresswoman McClellan has been a vocal advocate for federal workers impacted by the partial government shutdown. During the March District Work Period, she provided lunch to local TSA employees at Richmond International Airport and sat down with them as they shared their stories and brought up concerns with the shutdown, rising costs and more.