Congressman Andy Barr (KY-6) today voted to extend funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for one week. The extension prevents an immediate lapse in funding for DHS and gives Congress time to negotiate differences between a House bill to fund the Department passed more than six weeks ago, and a Senate version of the bill which was passed earlier today. The extension will not enable the President’s executive actions granting amnesty to millions of undocumented immigrants because the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas issued a temporary injunction to halt these actions on February 16, 2015.
“A short-term extension of Homeland Security funding is far from ideal; however, because Senate Democrats obstructed the funding bill until the last minute, they have left no time to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the legislation,” said Congressman Barr.
“The American people want solutions and are tired of deadline politics. Today, with my support, the House has once again acted responsibly to prevent a lapse in funding and to allow the legislative process to work under regular order. While the President’s unconstitutional actions have already been halted by a federal court, I am hopeful this extension will give Congress and the courts time to address this overreach in a more permanent way.”