Chairwoman McClain to Democrats: Put the Political Games Aside and Fund our Homeland Security

As prepared for delivery:

I say something very, very clearly to every single Democrat watching today: Enough is enough. Put the political games aside and fund our homeland security.

Last week, just outside my district, an antisemitic driver with an explosives-filled vehicle plowed into Temple Israel Synagogue. The building was set ablaze while dozens of little kids were inside.

Hours earlier, an ISIS supporter opened fire at Old Dominion University.

Days before that, a man wearing a sweatshirt that read "Property of Allah" killed two people and wounded fourteen.

This is not a game. End the shutdown. Fund our homeland security now.

Despite this urgency, however, almost every single Democrat in this town has voted to defund our homeland security. Why? Because they'd rather protect violent illegal criminals than protect the American people.

Frankly, I'm sick of it and the American people are too.

In addition to fighting for an end to this shutdown, House Republicans will take up legislation this week to make sure that foreign nationals who commit fraud can be deported and permanently barred from exploiting taxpayers by receiving immigration benefits.

And if you think that's unnecessary, let me introduce you to a few people.

This is a man here illegally from Cuba who was arrested in Big Rapids, Michigan for credit card fraud.

This is a man arrested in Carson City, Michigan for fraud and homicide. I think we can all agree he shouldn't be allowed to remain in the country.

Another individual in Port Huron arrested for fraud.

A woman in Sandusky, Michigan also arrested for fraud.

And that's just in my home state of Michigan. I could keep going without even leaving the state let alone getting into what's happening in places like Whip Emmer's state of Minnesota.

Despite what the liberal media wants you to believe, these are the people law enforcement is targeting and holding accountable.

And these are exactly the people Republicans are making sure will never - and I repeat, never - be welcome back here.

The United States is the most generous nation in the world. But generosity should never be mistaken for weakness.

When people exploit our systems, when they steal from programs meant to help vulnerable Americans, when they commit fraud against our families, they undermine the trust that holds our programs and institutions together.

And they take resources away from the Americans who actually need them.

Let me put it simply: the Biden administration let a lot of bad people into this country. Terrorists. Fraudsters. Violent criminals.

And now Democrats are playing political games to protect the bad guys instead of protecting American citizens.

That needs to end. Now.

Fund our homeland security. Deport violent criminals. Keep foreign fraudsters out of our country.

These are common-sense principles nearly every American supports.

It's time Democrats in Washington started supporting them too.

Watch Chairwoman McClain's full remarks here.