Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended.

The murder of Kate Steinle in San Francisco was a national tragedy that certainly shocked the conscience of America. We must continue to mourn her passing. We must continue to stand behind her family.

We must continue to make sure that her killer is prosecuted to the full extent of the law, but we should not respond with irresponsible public policy.

Our Founders indicated that the House of Representatives is supposed to reflect the passions of the people, but the passions should be properly channeled into an appropriate legislative vehicle.

On December 14, 2012, 20 children were brutally gunned down in Sandy Hook Elementary School. More than 30,000 additional Americans have died as a result of gun violence since that fateful day. Mr. Speaker, 952 days have passed. This House has done nothing.

On June 27, 2013, the Senate passed a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill, 52 Democrats, 14 Republicans, 2 Independents. That bill would have secured our borders. That bill would have reduced the deficit by more than $850 billion over 20 years. That bill would have required undocumented immigrants to learn English, pay back taxes, pass a criminal background check, and then get at the back of the line. Mr. Speaker, 757 days have passed. This House has done nothing.

Instead, we are here today considering a misguided legislative response to a terrible tragedy. That is why I offer this amendment, which will prevent the elimination or reduction of funds to State or local law enforcement organizations if the Attorney General determines that the elimination of funding would result in an overall increase in the crime rate, particularly with respect to domestic violence, sex trafficking, and crimes against children, or if it would result in a decrease in the number of trained law enforcement officers on American streets.

The COPS and Byrne-JAG programs are essential to public safety and should not be used as a blunt force weapon to carry out a reckless and irresponsible antiimmigrant agenda. That is why the National Fraternal Order of Police, the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force, and the Major County Sheriffs' Association of America all oppose the underlying legislation.

In a letter dated July 15, the National Fraternal Order of Police expressed their ``strong opposition to any amendment or piece of legislation that would penalize law enforcement agencies by withholding Federal funding or resources from law enforcement assistance programs in an effort to coerce a policy change in so-called sanctuary cities.''

In offering this amendment, I stand with law enforcement. In offering this amendment, I stand with the Statue of Liberty that sits in New York Harbor with the inscription ``Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.''

In offering this amendment, I stand with the United States Constitution and the 10th Amendment limitation on the Federal Government's ability to commandeer State or local police authorities into the service of Federal areas of enforcement.

In offering this amendment, I stand with the Scripture in Matthew 25:35, where it says: I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.

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