Sen. Leahy Issues Statement on Homeland Security Reprogramming of FEMA Funds

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security reprogramming of the Federal Emergency Management Agency funds:

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[Under the Homeland Security Act, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has the authority to transfer funds within the department. These transfers are subject to the approval of the Chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on the Department of Homeland Security. On June 30, DHS notified Congress of its intention to transfer $200 million from various DHS agencies to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including $10 million from FEMA. This transfer was approved by the subcommittee chairs, Senator Capito and Representative Yoder, in accordance with current law. Democrats, Senate or House, did not sign off on this reprogramming.]

"It has been no secret that President Trump's obsession with his wall, mass deportation, and the indiscriminate detention of children comes at a hefty price - a price that robs our country of its values and its resources.

"This case is no different, and now our Eastern Coast is left even more vulnerable in the path of Hurricane Florence.

"I am hopeful that the administration will see the consequences of its actions, and begin to work with Republicans AND Democrats to actually address the problems in our immigration system.

"Fomenting fears against immigrants is not governing - it's demagoguery on the taxpayer's dime. It needs to stop now."