3:01 pm CST - February 08, 2016

From Congressman John Culberson

WASHINGTON, D.C. –This week, I sent a letter to Attorney General Lynch urging her to take specific actions so that no additional Department of Justice (DOJ) funding is provided to jurisdictions that either refuse to honor Federal detainers, harbor illegal aliens, or refuse to share information about criminal illegal aliens with federal authorities.

Sanctuary city policies across the country prevent State and local law enforcement from notifying the Department of Homeland Security when an illegal alien is released from their custody.

If the Attorney General will not step up and change the Federal grant process to prevent funding from the DOJ from flowing to these jurisdictions, then as the new chairman of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee, I will be compelled to object to relevant portions of the Department’s spending plan and reprogramming requests.

Last night on Fox News, Bill O’Reilly discussed with his “truth serum correspondent” whether or not I have the authority to do this. Thanks to the following language included in the fiscal year 2016 omnibus appropriations bill I can:

1. Section 740 nullifies the effect of the President’s budget proposal, and requires the DOJ to spend money only as appropriated and directed by Congress.

2. Section 534 requires every agency under the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies to submit a spending plan to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees by February 1, 2016.

3. Section 505 establishes the procedures for reprogramming funding.

4. Language on pages 4-5 of the House Report explains the reprogramming procedures.

If the Attorney General fails to stop funding from the DOJ from flowing to sanctuary cities, then I will include language in the fiscal year 2017 CJS appropriations bill prohibiting the award of law enforcement grants to jurisdictions that harbor illegal aliens.

This is a complicated problem with a simple solution. State and local law enforcement agencies should not receive Federal law enforcement grant money unless they are in compliance with Federal law.

It is an honor and a privilege to represent you and Texas in the United States Congress.

http://www.texasinsider.org/ending-f...ctuary-cities/