Wisconsin Congressman Slams GOP Over Homeland Security Funding Bill

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, blasted House Republicans over a procedural fight that could wind up defunding the Department of Homeland Security.

House Republicans are pushing a Homeland Security funding bill with added amendments blocking President Barack Obama’s new immigration plan, which they call an unconstitutional overreach of executive power. Senate Democrats have blocked the package three times, insisting on a clean funding bill.

Kind said using Homeland Security funding to spar with the president will hurt employees and lead to a dangerous situation.

“These people didn’t cause the problem,” said Kind. “They’re the ones who are going to bear the brunt of any shutdown of Homeland Security. But also there are security risks involved too for our nation at a time when we see the rise of ISIS in the Middle East.”

Homeland Security funding is set to expire at the end of the month. Some staff would be required to work without pay during a shutdown.