SCHNEIDER OPPOSES FUNDING BILL THAT FAILS TO REIN IN ICE

WASHINGTON - Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Ways and Means and Foreign Affairs Committees, released the following statement on his vote against legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security:

"Two weeks ago, Renee Nicole Good-a loving wife, mother, and US citizen-was needlessly gunned down by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Last fall, an ICE officer shot and killed a man in Chicago, and another officer shot a woman five times in her leg. Thousands of Illinoisans have contacted my office in fear for their families and in outrage for our nation in the wake of these horrific events.

"People are right to be outraged - I share their outrage. ICE is totally out of control.

"In the land of the free, the home of the brave, we cannot let stand a status quo that has permitted and even empowered ICE agents to wreak havoc on our communities, to scare our children, and to terrorize-and even kill-our neighbors.

"Today, the House considered legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security, including ICE. I voted no.

"We need to force a real change in ICE actions around the country.

"We need to establish real, enforceable guardrails around ICE's actions.

"We need to ensure real accountability for ICE and DHS leadership.

"And we need to reestablish proper Congressional oversight over ICE's behavior.

"The Homeland Security funding bill failed to do any of that. Instead, it will allow ICE to continue its reign of terror unchecked.

"DHS and ICE should be focused on securing our borders and keeping the American people and our communities safe. That means real action, bound by the law and the protections of our Constitution, that keeps violent criminals, gang members, and drug dealers off our streets. But instead of targeting hardened criminals, ICE is far too often targeting hardworking people, without regard for their constitutional rights and basic dignity.

"I encourage my colleagues in the US Senate to reject and reform this legislation, so that we can hold ICE accountable and provide communities across the nation the peace, safety, and security they deserve."

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