Congressional Recap: Late-night Homeland Security Vote Brings Drama

Congress returned this past week from a President’s Day recess to deal with several issues, including funding for the Department of Homeland Security and a veto from President Barack Obama on the Keystone XL pipeline.

The following is a breakdown of news from the state’s congressional delegation:

HOUSE, SENATE EXTENDS DHS FUNDING
Friday night, the House of Representatives and Senate approved a one-week extension to funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

The Senate voted 68-31 while the House voted 357-60 on the extension until March 6. Legislators spent Friday debating the issue, with a major sticking point involving implementation of an executive order by the Obama administration on immigration.

A federal judge in Texas had stayed the order, saying the Obama administration violated federal law regarding the policy.

The Obama administration has since appealed the ruling to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. Locally, both of the state’s United States senators expressed problems with the entire issue.

“Despite last week’s federal court ruling putting President Obama’s executive order on hold, Senate Democrats continued to filibuster the House-passed DHS funding bill in an effort to protect the President. While I appreciate Senator McConnell’s efforts to find a way forward, this is a problem of the President’s creation and he should not get a pass from Congress for his unconstitutional action,” Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark. said. “We have a responsibility to stand up for our constituents. Therefore, I could not, in good conscience, support a DHS funding bill that does not specifically withhold funding for what amounts to amnesty by fiat.”

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said the President overstepped his bounds.

“President Obama’s immigration executive order is unlawful and a blatant abuse of his Constitutional authority. Congress must do everything in its power to make sure it’s stopped – not reward the President and Senate Democrats for playing politics with our national security,” Cotton said. “We should fully fund the Department of Homeland Security and we should stand with the American people in opposition to President Obama’s amnesty order.”

Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, also responded Friday night.

“My vote today for the continuing resolution ensures that the president’s illegal executive action remains unfunded following the ruling of a federal judge in Texas. My vote also allows the hardworking men and women of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to have financial security while Congress works to craft a bill that upholds the Constitution and protects the United States.

“It is my hope that the House and Senate are able to work together, in good faith, to find a solution during the next week. The House was able to pass a long-term Homeland Security funding bill six weeks ago that also fulfilled the will of my constituents by stopping the president’s unlawful action,” Westerman said.

“With this short-term extension, along with my vote today to conference with the Senate, we should find a solution for the long-term that prevents the president’s unconstitutional rewriting of our immigration laws and continues the tasks delegated to this government agency.”

BOOZMAN, COTTON, HILL SUPPORT DISASTER DECLARATION
Boozman, Cotton and Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock said Thursday that Pulaski and Faulkner counties will receive help from a tornado last year.

The counties are the recipients of a $96,000 grant to help disaster recovery efforts from the 2014 EF4 tornado.

The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Watershed Protection Program.

The money will be used to remove debris from streams in order to prevent future flooding.

“Citizens of Pulaski and Faulkner counties are working together to rebuild and recover from the devastating impact of this disaster. These funds are an important step in the process to continue clean-up efforts and protect residents from future flooding,” Boozman said.

“I am pleased the USDA recognized that last year’s tornado was no match for the spirit and determination of Arkansans and I know these funds will be put to good use protecting communities from future disasters,” Cotton said.

“These funds will provide critical assistance to our Arkansas communities as they continue to rebuild and recover from last year’s tornado, which may have ravaged homes, businesses, and schools, but didn’t damage the spirit of our community. I will continue working with my colleagues to assist those who were affected by this tragic disaster,” Hill said.

COTTON INTRODUCES THE HUNTER AND FARMER PROTECTION ACT
This week, Cotton introduced Senate Bill 595, the Hunter and Farmer Protection Act.

The bill would create legislation that would protect farmers from federal penalties levied under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act if they are following best practices provided by their state Cooperative Extension Office.

Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the government has the authority to regulate hunting seasons for some protected species and prohibit certain actions in the interest of preserving those species.

“Washington bureaucrats have created a lose-lose situation for Arkansas farmers – and they’ve done so at the cost of our hunting season. Arkansans know better than anyone how to care for our land, we’ve been doing it for generations. And no one has more respect for the intersection of protecting wildlife and working our land. This bill will provide much needed relief to Arkansas farmers and provide a resolution to a problem created by big government overregulation,” Cotton said.

In 2012, farmers in east Arkansas were forced to harvest their crop early because of a regional drought. Late summer rains then yielded a second growth crop, commonly known as “ratoon rice,” Cotton said.

Local cooperative extension offices across the state advised these farmers to roll their fields – or plow the rice stubble under the soil – in order to return nutrients to the soil. Under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations, this is considered to be ‘baiting the field’ – or attempting to draw ducks and other animals to their farms for sport.

This legislation would also amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to ensure farmers who follow the best practices established by their state cooperative extension offices are not then subject to fines from the Federal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Congressman Rick Crawford has introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives, H.R. 1099, the Hunter and Farmer Protection Act.

DELEGATION RIPS NET NEUTRALITY
A couple of members from the state’s delegation also commented this week on the ruling from the Federal Communications Commission on “net neutrality.”

The commission ruled Thursday to approve rules to “make sure we control free and open access to the Internet.”

However, opponents have said the rules would do the opposite by increasing government involvement in the World Wide Web.

Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs called the vote, “Yet another overreach by the Obama administration, passing heavy-handed regulation with no input from Congress.”

“These rules will result in a nation less free than it was before this mind-boggling decision. Ask yourself – what is the problem with the Internet that requires a fix by an overreaching federal government? The FCC’s actions just mimic those of the president, focused more on special interests and less on promoting a good economic environment for Fourth District residents,” Westerman said. “It is time for Congress to act to keep the Internet free and open for all residents of the Fourth District, Arkansas and the United States and keep commerce flowing.”

Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., called the decision “outdated and heavy-handed.”

“Once again Washington bureaucrats think the solution to a problem is additional regulations and once again they are wrong. The growth that we have witnessed in e-commerce and mobile technology has come about as a result of innovative answers to market demands, not heavy-handed government mandates,” Boozman said. “This outdated approach will only stifle future technological advances, open the door to costly litigation and ultimately lead to job losses in an industry that should be creating the next generation of career opportunities.”

KEYSTONE VETO DRAWS OPPOSITION
The veto of a bill to build a nearly 3,000 mile pipeline from Canada through the United States drew a stinging rebuke from the state’s congressional delegation Tuesday.

President Barack Obama vetoed Senate Bill 1 Thursday.

The bill would support the building of the Keystone XL pipeline. Supporters have said the project would create much-needed jobs in the Midwest, while opponents have stressed environmental concerns.