CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.J. RES. 31, FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS FOR DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, 2019; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 33
(Extensions of Remarks - February 22, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.J. RES. 31, FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS
FOR DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, 2019
______
speech of
HON. SUZANNE BONAMICI
of oregon
in the house of representatives
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for
this government spending bill negotiated by the bipartisan Conference
Committee. Although the bill is not what I would have drafted, and I
recognize that we still have much work to do in the area of humane
immigration reform, we simply cannot have another painful, costly, and
unnecessary shutdown. The members of our Coast Guard, TSA, and other
federal agencies are still recovering from the most recent shutdown.
They deserve certainty, and they need to know that they can continue
working and that they will be paid on time. The President must also act
responsibly and fulfill his duty to federal workers and those who rely
on government services by signing this legislation.
This bill includes many victories I am proud to support; it delivers
a pay raise to federal workers to keep pace with the cost of living,
invests in the Census to provide a fair and accurate count for
underrepresented communities, and dedicates $17 billion in new
infrastructure funding to improve our roads, bridges, and mass transit.
The legislation increases investments in small business initiatives for
minority and women-owned businesses, which will create jobs. The bill
also rejects the Trump Administration's attacks on the environment by
denying deep cuts to programs that protect clean water, clean air, and
public lands.
As with any compromise, I have serious reservations about some of the
provisions in this bill--particularly regarding immigration
enforcement. I appreciate that our conferees were able to prevent the
wasteful inclusion of any increased funding for an ineffective border
wall and include humanitarian assistance funding for migrants, but the
House must continue to push for smarter, more compassionate use of
resources for border security and immigration enforcement. I am
concerned that this bill gives the Department of Homeland Security too
much leeway to continue the unchecked targeting and detention of
immigrants who pose no threat to public safety, rather than focusing
enforcement efforts on high-priority criminals.
I continue to support having the appropriate personnel, equipment,
facilities, and resources to address crime and trafficking on our
borders, but immigration enforcement should not be militarized and
operate with impunity. We can treat individuals in a humane and just
manner and still prevent crime, reduce trafficking, and keep our
country safe. People fleeing violence in their home countries and
seeking asylum in the United States need to be protected, not
threatened with more persecution. We must enact commonsense changes to
improve accountability and protect the fundamental rights of
immigrants--especially those legally seeking asylum. I will keep
pushing for rigorous oversight of ICE and reforms to our immigration
enforcement system.
This legislation is the product of good-faith negotiations between
bipartisan leaders in the House and Senate. I am hopeful that this
result demonstrates the futility of chaotic brinksmanship, and I hope
that we can learn from this experience to resolve differences through
dialogue and trust in the legislative process.
____________________