WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), issued the following statement after the House of Representatives finally voted 257-167 to pass a  clean bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through September:

“Over the past several weeks a bipartisan chorus of voices has been calling for Congress to ignore brinksmanship and pass a clean funding package for the Department of Homeland Security. Last Friday, I was glad to see the Senate pass a clean bill. Today, I welcome the House following our example, said Senator Cardin.  “Our national security and the men and women sworn to protect it, should never been made into political pawns.”

“Washington must now eliminate the specter of intentional shutdowns from lawmaking and appropriating. In the days ahead, I call on my colleagues in both Houses to take note of the hard work the federal employees at DHS undertake to keep us safe daily. I am glad we have averted a potential disaster and hope we have turned a corner away from gridlock and towards getting things done in the best interest of our nation.”

###