Obama Calls on Congress to Approve Funding for DHS

Photo by Kristoffer Tripplaar-Pool/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — President Obama urged Congress to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday, citing last week’s attacks in Paris as a cautionary tale.

“Last week’s attack in Paris was a painful reminder that we have no greater duty than the security of the American people,” the president said. “And our national security should never be subject to partisan political games.”

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security is set to run out at the end of next month, an expiration date selected during December’s funding debate to avoid a government shutdown.

“Congress needs to fully fund out Department of Homeland Security without delay,” Obama said, “so that the dedicated public servants working here can operate with the certainty and confidence they need to keep the American people safe.”

House Speaker John Boehner said Tuesday morning that the issue was not funding the Department of Homeland Security, as that concept is one that members of Congress support. Instead, Boehner said, “we cannot continue to allow the president to go around Congress and go around the law and take unilateral action like he has.”

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