WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) issued the following statement on the U.S. House of Representatives passage of the Senate’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill.  Rep. Walker voted against H.R. 240, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act as it failed to address President Obama’s unlawful executive amnesty plan. Earlier today, Rep. Walker also voted in favor of a motion offered by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) to table consideration of the Senate’s DHS bill.

“I am extremely disappointed in today’s vote to bring forward the Senate’s DHS bill.  In the House, we have been demanding for nearly two months for the Senate to work with the House but Senate Democrats continue to be obstructionists, refusing to debate the bill and resolve our differences in conference.   

For six years the President has said on multiple occasions—22 times – that he did not have the authority to make such a decision; yet, he now insists that Congress move in a direction that he once believed was outside the law. This is about the legislative branch reasserting its authority. As I’ve stated before, this is about the Constitution.

As a Member of Congress, I swore an oath to ‘support and defend the Constitution of the United States.’ I have a responsibility to uphold the Constitution and a responsibility to my constituents who have told me repeatedly they do not support this President’s lawless actions. I believe that today’s decision further capitulates to these obstructionists in the Senate, and I remain committed to fighting the President’s unprecedented overreach. 

I want to thank the 167 Members that stood their ground and voted to defend the House’s bill to block the President’s illegal executive actions.  Despite the best efforts of the House, too many Members were willing to sacrifice the provisions defunding the President’s executive actions in order to keep the Department of Homeland Security open.  While I don’t agree with their decision, I can understand the concern many Members have voiced regarding the security threat posed by closing or compromising DHS at this critical hour.

We know that lasting, long-term immigration reform has to be passed by Congress. This week, there are bills being debated by the House Judiciary Committee regarding immigration enforcement.  I encourage you to get familiar with these bills and give me your feedback.

Amnesty is not a solution.  Border security and enforcement of our laws has to be the first and highest priority.”

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