Rep. Andrea Salinas’ Statement on Voting Against DHS and DoD Spending Bills

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) issued the following statement following her vote opposing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Defense (DoD) appropriations bills.

"I voted against bills to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Defense (DoD). ICE has instilled terror in our communities, detained children, and violated due process and Fourth Amendment rights. Their violent tactics have resulted in the deaths of immigrants and U.S. citizens, and ICE continues to lie to Congress and the public about their actions. I will not vote to fund this unlawful behavior.

"As part of a good-faith effort to improve the bill and protect my community, I introduced two amendments to the DHS appropriations package: one to prohibit ICE from using funds for warrantless arrests and the detention of U.S. citizens, and another to block funding for any detention facility in Oregon. Unfortunately, Republicans refused to consider my amendments.

"Additionally, I voted against the DoD appropriations bill. While I support pieces of the package, including the education and mental health funding, I cannot support taxpayer funding for the Department of Defense and President Trump's out of control actions, such as illegal military operations on foreign soil.

"The Trump Administration has failed to protect Americans. Instead, their reckless actions have made America less safe by undermining congressional authority and eroding the fabric of our Constitution. To defend our rights and safety, I voted against these bills."