U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis supported a bill to fund DHS. (WJBC file photo)
By Adam Studzinski
WASHINGTON – A bill to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security through the end of the fiscal year is headed for the president's desk after being approved by the U.S. House Tuesday.
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) voted to support the legislation. He said this is what needed to be done to get back to the appropriations process.
"I want to be clear, because sometimes even many of my colleagues haven't gotten the facts straight when it comes to Homeland Security funding," said Davis. "Not a single penny that has been appropriated, or will be appropriated, by Congress can go toward the president's unconstitutional action on immigration."
The bill passed by a 257-167 vote. The GOP had been trying to overturn President Obama's executive actions by linking them to funding for Homeland.
Davis said it will be up to the courts to decide what happens with Obama's actions.
"We can't let the Department of Homeland Security's funding lapse because it sends a terrible message at a time when the president needs to focus more on America's own national security," he said.
Without this measure funding for DHS would have run out on Friday.
Israeli Prime Minister
In other news from Washington, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday spoke to a joint session of Congress. Davis said Netanyahu's message to lawmakers was one of "peace through strength."
"I feel that Prime Minister Netanyahu sent a message to the members of the House and the Senate and to the president that Israel has stood strong with the United States," said Davis. "We need the United States to stand strong with Israel who has been our greatest ally in the Middle East."
Davis added Israel is the only true democracy in the Middle East.
"Prime Minister Netanyahu is a freely elected leader in the country of Israel," said Davis. "Israel provides a great partner when it comes to national defense, national security; and for the aid that the United States sends to Israel it comes back, usually, three fold plus more."
Davis called for greater sanctions against Iran. He said preventing Iran from creating nuclear weapons in the best interest of Israel and critical to the "safety and security of the U.S."
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
