Watch Rep. Carter's Opening Statement 

Watch Rep. Carter Speak in support of DHS Amendments

Congressman John Carter, (R-TX31) Chairman of Department of Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations is battling the President’s overreaching executive actions. His 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives today, prohibits DHS funding from being used to implement the President’s overreaching executive amnesty.

“This bill stops the President’s amnesty action. I am proud that my colleagues are joining me in fighting back against this President, who continually bypasses Congress to further his own agenda,” said Congressman John Carter. “I urge the Senate to pass this bill immediately and send it to the President to sign. I ask, Mr. President, will you prioritize illegal immigrants over the safety of our homeland and the American people?”  

The DHS Appropriations bill provides $39.7 billion in discretionary funding for DHS to keep Americans safe, which is an increase of $400 million more than last year.

“The safety of our homeland should be top priority. In a time when we are facing a potential attacks on our homeland by terrorists, the President wants to focus on giving amnesty to people here illegally. That’s not happening on my watch. This bill puts money where it needs to be; on our border” said Congressman Carter.  

The FY 15 Homeland Security bill will fund DHS through the remainder of the year. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives by a vote of 236 to 191. The Senate must now vote for the bill and send it to the President to sign in to law.

Other highlights of the bill:

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• $10.7 billion for CBP to support the largest operational force levels in history – 21,370 Border Patrol agents and 23,775 CBP officers.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 

• $5.96 billion for ICE,
• Included- $3.4 billion for ICE detention programs. The increase will sustain 34,000 detention beds and increase family detention beds by 3,732.
• Included- $1.9 billion for domestic and international investigations to combat human trafficking, child exploitation, cyber-crime, and drug smuggling, and to expand visa vetting capabilities.
• Funds to fully finance E-Verify, a program that helps companies check if their employees may legally work in the United States.

Cybersecurity

• $753.2 million for cybersecurity operations in the National Programs and Protection Directorate.

Oversight

• The legislation requires that DHS submit comprehensive spending plans to Congress to increase transparency and congressional and public oversight over the use of taxpayer dollars.