VIDEO: Blackburn Flames Democrats for Trying to Abolish ICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor, where she excoriated the Democrats for their long record of trying to abolish ICE and defund law enforcement. Click here to download her remarks and see below for excerpts.

Click here to download Senator Blackburn's remarks.

EXCERPTS OF REMARKS

Democrats Do Not Believe in Enforcing the Laws on the Books

"A core responsibility of any representative government is enforcing the rule of law."

"Republicans believe in upholding this basic responsibility, but it's become painfully clear - and I think it should be regrettable - that our colleagues across the aisle do not see this as a basic responsibility."

"Every single federal immigration law that we have on the books… was passed by Congress, and that law was signed into law by a sitting U.S. President."

'These laws actually reflect the will of the American people, and these immigration laws are just as legitimate as any other law that is on the books."

"Our Democrat colleagues… see these laws as optional."

Democrats Want to Abolish ICE

"For 76 days, the Democrats kept the Department of Homeland Security shut down."

"What do the Democrats think they are doing? Why at a time when there are so many threats, why would they jeopardize our national security?"

"The Democrats have a goal. They've been committed to this for years, and they haven't been able to pull it off."

"Their goal is to defund law enforcement and to abolish ICE."

"I've got a chart that shows some of the statements that have come from people on the left."

"This is what they are trying to do."

"This isn't a fringe position in today's Democrat party."

"It has become a mainstay of their political agenda."

"Can you even imagine the chaos that would ensue if we wiped this agency, which is responsible for protecting Americans from cross-border crime and illegal immigration… off the map?"

"There would be more crime, more sex trafficking, drug trafficking, more human trafficking, more terrorism, and more lives lost."

Consequences of Anti-ICE Rhetoric Has Been on Full Display in New Jersey

"Since President Trump returned to office, we've seen the consequences of this rhetoric on full display. You can look at what is unfolding right now in New Jersey."

"For days, far-left rioters have assaulted law enforcement outside Delaney Hall, which is an immigration detention facility near Newark."

"One rioter screamed at an ICE agent… 'Your children, your wife-all dead. I have your face…You're dead.'"

"Imagine if that were being shouted at you as you did your job."

"Imagine if somebody was screaming at you that they were going to kill your kids, they were going to kill your wife, and they were going to kill you. They had your face. They knew who you were. This is what these agents are facing."

"Death threats to ICE agents, they're up 8,000%."

"Instead of condemning the violence, you've got the state's, New Jersey's Governor, Democrat, has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the rioters."

"She is blaming the ICE officers who are abiding by the rule of law. She is not blaming the paid political protestors who are not peacefully protesting."

"This is how radical Democrats have become."

"While the Democrats try to abolish ICE, Republicans are doing everything possible to uphold the rule of law."

"It's why we are moving forward with a public security reconciliation bill that will provide the funding necessary for ICE and CBP for years to come."