Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Terri Sewell issued the following release after voting against H.R. 240, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act:

“I am deeply disappointed that House Republicans decided to play party politics at the expense of America’s safety. Our national security must take precedence over partisan politics. I hoped that my Republican colleagues would set aside our differences, and pass the original version of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. This bill provides critically important funding for the Department, including vital support for essential law enforcement programs, federal cybersecurity initiatives, and disaster and relief programs.

“Instead, we were forced to vote on a bill that was poisoned by amendments that would undermine the President’s executive orders on immigration and diminish protections for immigrant families. These types of amendments have no place in an appropriations bill, and the President has already said that he is ready to veto this legislation.

“I urge my colleagues to reject any type of partisan gamesmanship that threatens our national security, and I am calling on Republicans to reintroduce a clean bill that our President will sign.”

Video of Congresswoman Sewell speaking on the DHS Appropriations Bill is available online at http://bit.ly/17HLoh1

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