Sens. Booker and Menendez Discuss Cuts to Department of Homeland Security Funding That Would Impact New Jersey

NEWARK, NJ – With funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) set to expire at the end of February, U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez, both (D-NJ), today held a press conference at Newark Liberty International Airport to warn of the possible impact any cuts would have on New Jersey and urge Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to pass a clean, full Department of Homeland Security funding bill for the 2015 fiscal year.

As a member of the Homeland Security and Government Accountability Committee, Sen. Booker expressed his strong concern about cuts that could weaken security operations at our sea and air ports as well as reduce funding to critical research and development.

“It is absolutely essential we pass a clean Department of Homeland funding bill,” said Sen. Booker. “This funding is too important for partisan politics. We must never play games with the safety of the American people. Simply passing a short-term funding measure would impede the agency’s ability to carry out critical security initiatives. For New Jerseyans and for all Americans, Congress must behave like the serious, responsible body it purports to be and pass a DHS funding bill free of politically-charged amendments.”

“Make no mistake, holding Homeland Security funding hostage is the textbook definition of pure-politics,” said Sen. Menendez. “I call on our Republican colleagues to join us in passing a clean funding bill for Homeland Security so this airport – and every airport – has the funding needed to protect our nation. We must focus on preventing ISIS-trained terrorists from coming back from Syria to do us harm, instead of futilely demonizing deep-rooted families who only want to pursue the American dream. This is not the time to hit a pause button on our efforts to prevent terrorism or build state and local resiliency against future natural disasters.”

Last week, both senators joined the entire Democratic Caucus in sending a letter calling on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to pass a clean bill that funds the Department of Homeland Security for the remainder of the fiscal year. If a deal is not reached by the end of February, there could be cuts to TSA and Coast Guard operations, which are of significant importance to the safety and security of New Jerseyans.