Let me begin my remarks by sincerely thanking Chairman Price for his partnership during the FY10 appropriations cycle. Through the transition in Administrations, the very late submission of the FY10 budget request, and the truncated appropriations process, he has been fair and respectful. I sincerely appreciate his willingness to listen to my concerns and accommodate the minority’s interests, where possible.

This Subcommittee has a long-standing tradition of bipartisanship – a tradition that stands in stark contrast to the exclusionary tactics of the House’s Democrat leadership that trounced the rights of the minority and stifled debate during floor consideration of the House bill.

But, in spite of all this partisan mischief, I am truly grateful for Chairman Price’s efforts to maintain the long-standing comity that has defined this chamber’s appropriations process, as well as Chairman Obey’s work to move this vital spending bill towards completion.

Let me begin my remarks by sincerely thanking Chairman Price for his partnership during the FY10 appropriations cycle. Through the transition in Administrations, the very late submission of the FY10 budget request, and the truncated appropriations process, he has been fair and respectful. I sincerely appreciate his willingness to listen to my concerns and accommodate the minority’s interests, where possible.

Let me also thank my colleagues from the Senate. It is my understanding that both the House and Senate staff have worked in a relatively cordial manner to produce the conference report before us today.

So, I am grateful that we were able to hammer out an agreement – for the most part – and move this vital spending bill. After all, the safety and security of our Nation’s citizens should be the number one priority of the Congress.

Madam Speaker, this motion I am submitting is simple, it would:

1. Prohibit the transfer of GITMO prisoners, period.

2. Insist on Senate language prohibiting the release of detainee photos.

3. Require the bill be available for 72 hours for the public and the Members to read and consider.

For almost seven years, we’ve had a near perfect track record of getting the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill done before the deadline. This took bipartisan wrangling and compromise, but we’ve always produced a bill that the President can sign.

Why? Because the security of our nation is paramount.

Now, I understand there are some complex and daunting issues, but this year should be no different.

This is, after all, what the American people have sent us here to do: to work through the issues – no matter how stark – and persevere to produce meaningful legislation that so many citizens are counting on.

Let me start by commending the Chairman on putting together a thoughtful bill. I also want to sincerely thank him for listening to my concerns; continuing our Subcommittee’s traditions of bipartisanship and professionalism; and, where possible, accommodating the minority’s interests.

However, I must also express my grave concern over an issue that casts a long and sad shadow over this important bill. The fact that we are NOT here today debating this bill under an open rule breaks with long, cherished traditions concerning appropriations bills. I, for one, am outraged that today’s debate on the critical issue of homeland security has been arbitrarily constrained. Such dictatorial tactics are contrary to the very purpose of this chamber and our legislative process.

To add insult to injury, the majority also denies the ability of a hard working Member of our Subcommittee and even the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee to offer amendments on E-Verify. Both amendments were clearly in order and both amendments pertained to a critical issue that is germane to this bill. To deny us the ability to offer such legitimate amendments is a complete travesty.

As to the FY10 bill, Chairman Price has already discussed many of the details, so I’ll refrain from repeating them. But, I think it is important to note that with this bill before us today, the Chairman has significantly improved the hand we’ve been dealt – a hand that included:

• An extremely late and bureaucracy-laden budget request with huge increases for policy and administrative offices at the expense of operations;
• And, a somewhat tightened 302(b) allocation that is nearly a half billion below the budget estimate.

These conditions present a somewhat mixed picture about how this new Administration and the current House leadership are prioritizing security nearly eight years after 9/11.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to begin my comments by sincerely thanking you for listening to my concerns and accommodating the minority’s interests, where possible.

I also want to thank you for your commitment to this Subcommittee’s traditions of professionalism, bipartisanship, and regular order.

As to the FY10 bill, the Chairman has already discussed many of the details, so I’ll refrain from repeating them. But, I think it is important to note that with this mark before us today, the Chairman has significantly improved the hand we’ve been dealt – a hand that included:

• An extremely late and bureaucracy-laden budget request from the President – one that included vast increases for administrative and policy offices at the expense of operations;
• And, a somewhat tightened 302(b) allocation that is presently more than $446 million below the budget estimate.

Madam Secretary, it has certainly been an eventful four months for you since your appointment.

In this relatively short period of time, you’ve taken a magnifying glass to DHS through a number of “program reviews” on everything from cybersecurity to priorities in immigration enforcement to E-Verify to information sharing with States and localities.

From those reviews, you issued several significant action directives – directives that appear to shift the focus and priorities of the Department in key areas such as counter smuggling and worksite enforcement.

And on those directives, I have many questions.

Mr. Chairman, I am submitting this amendment to correct what I believe are severely misplaced priorities.

How, in all good conscience, can we increase foreign assistance by some $3 billion and, yet, neglect the needs of the domestic law enforcement and border security agencies that are confronting the treacherous drug war on our doorstep?

And, let me be clear when I say the current turf battle between the Mexican drug cartels is, in fact, an all out WAR—more than 7,000 murders since the beginning of last year, including the torture and assassination of numerous Mexican law enforcement officials are as much an indicator of warfare as I have seen.

News Archive:
Select Archive Item 4.22.09 - Rogers' Opening Statement on The U.S. Coast Guard Measuring Mission Needs 4.2.09 - Immigration Enforcement and Employee Verification 4.1.09 - Rogers' Opening Statement on Cargo, Container, and Supply Chain Security 3.31.09 - Rogers' Opening Statement on Securing the Nation’s Rail and Transit Systems and Improving the Efficiency of the Aviation Security System - Panel 1 3.31.09 - Rogers' Opening Statement on Securing the Nation’s Rail and Transit Systems and Improving the Efficiency of the Aviation Security System - Panel 2 3.26.09 - Rogers' Opening Statement on Developing and Transitioning Homeland Security Research Products into Use 3.25.09 - Rogers' Opening Statement on Protecting our Nation’s Leaders: Challenges of 2008 Presidential Campaign and the 56th Presidential Inauguration 3.19.09 - Rogers' Opening Statement on Biometrics / Identity Programs 3.17.09 - Rogers' Opening Statement on Interoperable Communications 3.12.09 - Rogers' Opening Statement on Rail and Transit Security 3.10.09 - Rogers' Opening Statement on the Secure Border Initiative 3.10.09 - Rogers' Opening Statement on The Mexican Drug War 3.3.09 - Rogers' Opening Statement on Health Services for Detainees in U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) Custody 2.26.09 - Rogers' Opening Statement on Disaster Response: Is FEMA up to the challenge? Opening Statement Subcommittee on Homeland Security FY 2009 Full Committee Mark-up Committee Democrats Vote To Impede Border Fence Construction; Illegal Immigration Measures; and Intelligence Opening Statement to the Subcommittee on Homeland Security - FY 2009 Appropriations Subcommittee Mark-up Rep. Rogers Opening Statement - Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing with DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff Homeland Security Appropriations: Opening Statement Homeland Security Appropriations: Opening Statement Homeland Security Appropriations: Opening Statement Homeland Security Appropriations: Opening Statement Homeland Security Appropriations: Committee Speech Homeland Security Appropriations: Committee Speech Homeland Security Appropriations: Committee Speech Homeland Security Appropriations: Committee Speech Homeland Security Appropriations: Committee Speech Homeland Security Appropriations: Committee Speech Homeland Security Appropriations: Opening Statement Homeland Security Appropriations: Committee Speech Homeland Security Appropriations: Committee Speech 2.14.08 Rogers Opening Statement Before the House Subcommittee on Homeland Security Appropriations