Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) slammed the House Republican leadership’s reckless and ideological bill amendments that could result in defunding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 

“This is a terrible time for Republicans in Congress to play political games with America’s Homeland Security. Our country and its citizens must remain safe and secure. International travel, border crossings and our transportation systems must be protected. In Florida, this is an economic issue,” said U.S. Rep. Castor in a speech on the House floor.

Florida’s tourism industry is particularly vulnerable to tourist visa delays, longer TSA lines, and a slowdown in the ability to travel. “Homeland Security funding is vital to our economic and national security. Recently, DHS has instituted innovative measures to streamline the experience for domestic and international travelers with improved safety measures,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. “Travel and tourism is a $76 billion tourism industry in Florida that employs more than a million of our neighbors.” 

At the heart of House Republicans’ obstruction of Homeland Security is their continued dodging of needed immigration reform. During the last session of Congress, a bipartisan reform bill passed the Senate overwhelmingly, only to hit a roadblock in the House. The roadblock continues to be a drag on our economy. One particularly heartless amendment will be offered by Republicans to direct young Dream Act students to pack their bags and leave America even though America is the only country they have ever known.  “But I’m perplexed,” noted Rep. Castor, “In Florida, our Republican Legislature passed a law last year to provide in-state tuition rates to Dream Act students, and now the Republicans in Congress want to send them packing? The House GOP wants to deport Dream Act students.  That is unnecessarily harsh and inconsistent with our values.”

Adding extreme measures to the Homeland Security funding bill puts it at risk of final passage as Senate agreement is unlikely before funding for the department runs out at the end of February -- the timeline for approval is closing in.

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