Blumenthal Statement On House Passage Of Clean DHS Funding Bill

(Washington, D.C.) – Following the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the Senate’s clean bill to continue funding the Department of Homeland Security, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement:

"This vote is a resounding victory -- for common sense, governance. The House action ends the threat of DHS shutdown imperiling our nation's security but I am fearful about this brinksmanship occurring again. Thankfully, grants for firefighters and aid for communities digging out of January’s massive snow storm can now move forward without concern over needless delay. Had DHS been shuttered, more than 2,300 people in Connecticut -- including DHS civilian personnel, Coast Guard uniformed personnel, and Coast Guard cadets -- would have seen their lives disrupted and their efforts to protect our country compromised. These valuable men and women, many of whom are veterans, should be allowed to focus solely on their duty of fighting threats at home and abroad -- and not have to worry about petty squabbles in the halls of Congress."