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PARKERSBURG – Some things shouldn’t be political and homeland security is among them, a West Virginia senator said Monday.
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security runs out Friday unless Congress can reach an agreement before then, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said.
A bill that passed the House of Representatives includes provisions to negate the president’s executive order on immigration, which has stalled the legislation in the Senate where it is opposed by Democrats. The Senate passed a funding bill with bipartisan support that didn’t tie into the immigration issue, Manchin said.
“There’s got to be a few things we don’t play politics with and this is one of them,” said Manchin, speaking to reporters by phone from Washington, D.C.
Republicans believe the executive actions exceeded his authority. Manchin said he also believes the president overstepped his authority.
A Texas district court judge has ruled to allow a case against the president’s immigration policies to proceed and President Obama Monday asked the judge to put the ruling on hold while an appeal is filed.
The president agreed to delay implementation pending the resolution of the case, Manchin said. Congress should then pass the funding bill without attaching other provisions to it, Manchin said.
“To me that’s a stand down,” Manchin said.
The stalemate impacts the security of the nation, he said. Furloughs will affect border security, for example, and other workers will have to work without a paycheck.
About 600 employees in West Virginia will be impacted, most in the Eastern Panhandle and at the airport in Kanawha County. About 75 workers will be furloughed and the others work without being paid until the issue is resolved, Manchin said.
The situation sends a message to America’s enemies, Manchin said.
“We can’t even put politics aside and do what is best for our country,” he said.