By Brenda Flanagan
Correspondent
“This is important. I was in New York for 9/11, so I know what it was like. And I don’t want to see that happen again,” said Rich Boyer.
Much like Boyer, many New Jerseyans feel suddenly more vulnerable when politics starts to mess with Homeland Security funding. The money pays for airport safety screening, FBI investigations and security surveillance. Every day brings another alarming news story.
“I mean, with ISIS, you have no idea what’s gonna happen. And they’re over there, beheading people, burning people. It’s a nightmare,” Boyer said.
Many express exasperation, watching Congress dither over whether bills to fund Homeland Security should also include language derailing President Obama’s immigration reform agenda. They feel ignored by their representatives.
“No, they don’t pay attention. It’s all in their own heads, it’s whatever they feel is right. That’s what they’re gonna do. They don’t take anybody else’s opinion but their own,” said Drew Trien of Lake Hopatcong.
The Senate this morning passed a so-called clean Homeland Security funding bill — no mention of immigration — which House Speaker John Boehner refused to even post for a vote. Indeed, he’s been exasperated by media questions, prompting a puckered response yesterday.
Boehner faced rebellion with Republicans threatening to break ranks. New Jersey freshman Tom MacArthur indicated yesterday he’d vote for a clean bill. With Joint Base Dix/McGuire/Lakehurst in his district, MacArthur called failing to fund Homeland Security “…irresponsible and a failure of our duty to the nation.” And the clock kept ticking toward midnight when essential Homeland Security staffers would be forced to work without pay, an option no one liked.
“Working without getting paid — that’s horrible,” said Nick Smith of Jefferson. “It would terrible. It would be work and get no money, not being able to pay your bills.”
Sen. Cory Booker urged the House to consider the immigration debate separately and fully fund Homeland Security through the fiscal year, saying, “Our national security should never be a partisan bargaining chip and the dedicated Americans who protect our airports, borders and ports don’t deserve to be treated as political pawns.”
In the end, House Republicans posted a bill that simply continued funding for another three weeks.
“Why are you jeopardizing Homeland Security of the United States of America, by attaching your emotions to this bill. That’s what this is about. You have an argument about immigration, have an immigration bill come to the floor. Let’s have that debate,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
The vote dragged on and on — Republicans and Democrats standing on principle — and in the end it seemed partisan politics was the winner in this contest.