Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2014

Floor Speech

Mr. MARKEY. Madam Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to Representative King's amendment offered last week to the Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014, H.R. 2217. This amendment would restrict the use of funds to finalize, implement, enforce or administer the Memo authorizing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or Dream Act-eligible youth.

This amendment punishes young individuals who are Americans in every way but on a piece of paper. Brought to this country through no fault of their own, these students are striving to educate themselves and contribute to the country that they know as home. Targeting them with limited immigration enforcement funding is unwise, thoughtless and just plain wrong.

Just two months after the Marathon bombings, we should have voted last week on a straightforward bill that funded the department of Homeland Security, a bill that assisted the agencies that performed so bravely on that tragic day. It is an important bill. It keeps us safe. The legislation also included my bipartisan amendment to prevent knives from being brought onto planes for the first time since September 11, 2001.

However, by passing this amendment targeted at the DREAMers of our country, Republicans attacked everything our country stands for as a beacon of hope for a better life. That is why I voted against this amendment. This language should be stripped from the final version of the bill.

We need to move forward on comprehensive immigration reform. That is why I will keep up that fight for a better life for immigrants and for all Americans.

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