Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On Democrats’ Efforts To Fund The Remainder Of DHS While We Negotiate On ICE And CBP Reforms

Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke on the Senate floor condemning Republicans for their refusal to address the abuses the country has seen from ICE and reiterated the need to fund DHS, except for ICE and Border Patrol. Below are Senator Schumer's remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Republicans for weeks have refused to address some of the most egregious abuses from ICE that we have seen and that have plagued cities like Minneapolis and so many others around the country.

Democrats have offered multiple rounds of proposals, and we are serious, very serious, about getting something done. But Republicans need to show they are serious also and we have a lot of work left to do.

Democrats want to be reasonable. Later today, Senator Murray will come to the floor and offer legislation to fund everything at DHS except for ICE and Border Patrol. We can take care of TSA, we can take care of the Coast Guard, CISA, and FEMA today. We are ready to make sure these workers are paid. All the Republicans have to do is go along with our unanimous consent request, not block it.

This is the second time Senator Murray will bring this bill to the floor. Because last week, she tried to do this, and who objected? Republicans. Republicans say they want to stand up for TSA, then they blocked TSA funding. They say they're worried about FEMA and Coast Guard, then they blocked funding for FEMA and Coast Guard. How worried can they be?

If Republicans are going to play political games and block funding for the agencies they claim to care about, they should spare everyone the crocodile tears.

Even better: when Senator Murray brings her bill to the floor to fund TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, CISA, and all the other programs, Republicans should not get in the way.

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