U.S. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was one of only a few Democrats to back a spending bill that included funding for the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday.
The House passed four spending bills, three of which had gained broad bipartisan support. They funded Defense and various other departments, including Education, Transportation and Health and Human Services.
A fourth funding bill, which includes DHS funding, was hotly disputed as Democrats voiced concerns that it failed to restrain President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts.
Republicans were able to overcome the Democratic objections and muscle the Homeland Security bill to passage in a 220-207 vote. Golden, who represents Maine’s 2nd District, was among the seven Democrats who voted for the bill. Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine, D-1st District, voted against the measure.
In a news release, Golden said the bill includes funding to provide immigration enforcement agents with body cameras and de-escalation training.
“Failure to fund DHS would undermine public safety and emergency response services. To me, that was never an option,” Golden said. “By engaging in the process, rather than blocking it, we secured funding for body cameras and de-escalation training — two proven tactics embraced by law enforcement agencies across the country — that I believe will support responsible law enforcement and begin to restore trust.”
The broader package passed on a 341-88 vote, and the four bills total about $1.2 trillion in spending and now move to the Senate, with final passage needed next week before a Jan. 30 deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown.
“Passing a budget is our primary responsibility in Congress,” Golden said, “and I’m proud to have supported this package of spending bills, which will provide some measure of relief for Americans dealing with a high cost of living by increasing funding for child care and Head Start, and by funding important rental assistance programs and initiatives to combat homelessness.”
Golden also praised the defense appropriations, noting that those investments reinforce a “commitment to shipbuilding at Bath Iron Works.” He also noted it provides a 3.8% raise for military personnel.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: This story was updated on Jan. 23 to correct information about the defense appropriations included in the package. The funding will support ongoing shipbuilding at Bath Iron Works.
