WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Lee spoke on the Senate floor before attempting to offer his amendment to H.R. 240, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. Senator Lee's amendment, number 265, would have prohibited DHS from spending any money to implement President Obama's executive action on immigration from November 2014 that unilaterally granted amnesty to 5 million illegal immigrants, while keeping the Department fully funded. Joining Sen. Lee in offering amendment number 265 were Sens. David Vitter (R-La.) and Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.).
Sen. Lee made two efforts to advance his amendment. He first requested an up-or-down vote, but was denied. Then, he forced a vote to open up the legislative process and remove a procedural mechanism blocking his amendment to the DHS funding legislation, rather than being forced to vote on a bill without an opportunity to amend it. Thirty-three of his colleagues voted with Senator Lee in support of an open and fair legislative process, but this was not enough to overcome the opposition.
"Although the amendment didn't have enough support to pass the Senate, the fight to forestall implementation of President Obama's executive amnesty is not over," Senator Lee said. "The DHS funding bill has been sent to the House of Representatives, giving Congress another chance to stand up for the American people and the rule of law, instead of acquiescing to the president's lawless demands."
