Washington D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith made the following statement on Republicans refusal to pass a Department of Homeland Security funding bill:

“Republicans continue to lose the immigration policy discussion and have now decided to hold funding for the Department of Homeland Security, a vital national security agency, hostage in an attempt to achieve their extreme immigration policy goals.

“As Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I understand the wide range of threats our country faces every day. There are individuals that plot and plan to attack us at home and abroad every single day and the Department of Homeland Security plays a crucial role in providing for our security. Threatening to cut off funding for this important agency simply to undermine the President’s immigration polices is highly irresponsible.

“The unnecessary fight over funding for the Department of Homeland Security builds on the Republican’s legacy of governing through crisis. Republicans now control both chambers of Congress and with that power comes responsibility. It’s time to get back to regular order and fund the government like responsible elected leaders.”