On Wednesday the U.S. House pushed back against President Barack Obamas executive order loosening immigration policy in a vote on funding the federal Homeland Security Department.
The House voted 237-190 to undo Obamas executive action which would give more than 4 million illegals a path to citizenship and prevent them from being automatically removed from the nation. Seven Republicans, including two from Florida -- U.S. Reps. Carlos Curbelo and Mario Diaz-Balart -- joined the Democrats in voting against it. No Democrats crossed party lines to vote for it.
A smaller House majority -- 218-209 -- voted to end Obamas policy allowing work permits to 600,000 illegals who came in as children.
U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., part of the Republian leadership in his role as senior deputy majority whip, said Obama had gone too far and this bill helped bring immigration back in line with the law.
When my colleagues and I passed the omnibus spending bill in November, we made a promise to the American people to fight the presidents executive action, Ross said on Wednesday. We are standing by our word. The presidents unilateral action granting 5 million immigrants illegal amnesty shows he prioritizes those who have broken the law over those who have applied for immigration through the appropriate legal channels. His action will encourage more illegal immigration, while putting American citizens, as well as those who are lawfully present in this nation, at a disadvantage when it comes to finding employment.
I have continuously said the first step to immigration reform is to secure our borders, Ross added. This legislation will certainly meet this need by providing the largest operational force levels in history to the Customs and Border Protection agency. It also funds a number of important types of surveillance to help strengthen around-the-clock border security.
I am pleased we passed a Department of Homeland Security funding measure that also reins in this presidents unilateral executive action, Ross said in conclusion. This bill will reverse the presidents executive action on immigration, prioritize legal immigration over illegal, and prioritize the hiring of American citizens over those who came here illegally.
U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., also voted with the Republican majority and came out swinging against Obama on Wednesday.
Americans are tired of the presidents my way or the highway' approach on illegal immigration, Crenshaw insisted. I stand with them -- 100 percent against amnesty. Thats why I voted to stop his blatant overreach by defunding his executive action on immigration in its entirety.
This country must address the crisis of illegal immigration; thats clear, Crenshaw added. It places a tremendous financial pressure and social burden on our society. But casting a blind eye toward working together with Congress and circumventing the will of the American people does not solve the problem.
Securing our borders is the No. 1 one priority. The president should work together with Congress toward this and other long-term solutions that strengthen our country, Crenshaw continued. Moreover, when it comes to our homeland security, we only need consider the horrific carnage faced by France over the past week to be reminded of the need to remain vigilant. This bill puts forth robust steps to harden our borders through funding hikes for Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Other important security efforts in the legislation -- including Transportation Security Administration, cybersecurity, the Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Secret Service -- will also play a major role in keeping America safe and prepared against real-world threats.
Diaz-Balart, usually a supporter of immigration reform, slammed Obama on Wednesday, even as he voted with the Democrats.
"President Obama has said that any executive action would be 'very difficult to defend legally,' and yet we have seen him use such power not once, but twice in as many months, Diaz-Balart said. It is evident that the only permanent and legal way to solve our countrys broken immigration system is for Congress to pass legislation that actually has a chance of becoming law and deals with the issue. As I have done in the past, I am working with my colleagues in the 114th Congress to find a solution that strengthens our borders, respects the rule of law, treats those living in the shadows in a humane manner, modernizes our visa system, and bolsters the economy. It's time for President Obama to respect the powers of the United States Congress as they are written in the laws of our great nation.
I commend Chairmen Rogers and Carter for putting together a substantial base bill that prioritizes front line security, border patrol, and FEMA, all while properly addressing our national security concerns, said Diaz-Balart.
Democrats slammed Republicans for inserting the immigration amendment in the Homeland Security funding bill. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., took to the floor on Tuesday and slammed the GOP for trying to roll back Obamas immigration action.
This is a terrible time for Republicans in Congress to play political games with Americas homeland security, Castor said. :Our country and its citizens must remain safe and secure. International travel, border crossings and our transportation systems must be protected. In Florida, this is an economic issue.
Homeland Security funding is vital to our economic and national security, Castor added. Recently, DHS has instituted innovative measures to streamline the experience for domestic and international travelers with improved safety measures. Travel and tourism is a $76 billion tourism industry in Florida that employs more than a million of our neighbors.
But the fate of the bill remains uncertain in the U.S. Senate where Republicans, despite now controlling the chamber, will be hard-pressed to reach 60 votes to ensure theres no filibuster. Diaz-Balart has been expressing optimism to the national media that his immigration reform bill from last year, which went nowhere, could resurface.
Obama has threatened to veto the bill the House passed on Wednesday.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
