Funding the Dept. of Homeland Security Until February 8th

Note: We'll transfer this summary once the bill is formally introduced after the 116th Congress convenes and it is assigned an ID number on Thursday.

Summary:

This legislation would fund the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) at current levels through February 8, 2019 and restore lapsed funding, allowing the agency to fully re-open. It wouldn’t provide any additional or new funding for border security.

Argument in Favor:

This bill would allow the Dept. of Homeland Security to be fully operational through February 8th without new funding for the wall while Congress and the White House try to reach a deal on border security. It’s irresponsible to allow such a crucial agency be impacted by a shutdown.

Argument Against:

This bill has no chance of becoming law, and if Democratic lawmakers are serious about reopening agencies impacted by the partial government shutdown they need to make a deal that gives President Donald Trump more border security funding.

Impact: Congress; and the Dept. of Homeland Security.

Cost: A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

In-Depth: Incoming House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) will introduce this bill to fund Homeland Security through February 8th in conjunction with a bill to fund the rest of the government and end the partial shutdown:

“Responsibly funding the federal government is one of the most important duties of Congress. This legislation fulfills that responsibility, reopens federal agencies shuttered by the Trump Shutdown, and ensures that the federal government is working for the American people. When the 116th Congress convenes Thursday, our new Democratic majority will take the first step to ending the Trump Shutdown by passing this legislation, which has already garnered strong bipartisan support in the Senate.”

President Donald Trump dismissed this proposal, arguing that it doesn’t do enough to secure the border:

“The Pelosi plan is a non-starter because it does not fund our homeland security or keep American families safe from human trafficking, drugs, and crime.”

Media:

• House Appropriations Committee Democrats Press Release
• House Majority Leader-designate Steny Hoyer (D-MD) Press Release
• CNBC

Summary by Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / RiverNorthPhotography)