Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homeland Security Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rep. French Hill urges avoiding DHS shutdown and notes body cameras are funded in the Homeland Security bill
Summary
Representative French Hill warned in an interview that a lapse in Homeland Security funding could disrupt air traffic control and TSA operations and said he hopes negotiators will pass the bill; he also stated that body cameras for border agents are included in the bill.
Representative French Hill said he hopes lawmakers will avoid a shutdown as funding for the Department of Homeland Security approached expiration.
"Boy, I hope we don't," Hill said when asked whether a shutdown was possible. He said he did not want to return to air traffic controllers and TSA agents with "disappointing news" and urged passage of the remaining appropriations bill to ensure people are paid and services continue.
Hill said there has been bipartisan consensus on spending and policy levels in the other appropriations measures and urged negotiators to "get this bill passed and make sure people are paid next week." He named President Trump and administration officials as engaged on operational implementation, and urged Democrats to take the president at his word about ongoing negotiations.
On a separate, specific question about whether the president's plan to institute body cameras for border patrol is supported in the legislation, Hill said, "By the way, the body cams are funded in the Homeland Security bill so that they all have access to them." The interview did not include a vote or a precise timetable for passage; Hill urged continued negotiation and expedited consideration to avoid operational disruption.
