READ: Reps. Sinema and McSally Play Both Sides In Today's Homeland Security/Immigration Debate

Today was a tricky one for many Representatives in swing districts, and Arizona Reps. Kyrsten Sinema (D-CD9) and Martha McSally (R-CD2) issued statements that ignored some of their thornier votes.

Arizona's Politics has been detailing the votes on some of the amendments related to immigration and President Obama's executive actions proposed by Republicans.  The amendments were attached to the Homeland Security funding bill.

While Sinema and McSally both voted the party line on the final bill - which passed 236-191 with only 2 Democrats and 10 Republicans crossing lines - both crossed party lines on at least one of the amendments.

Sinema was one of 14 Democrats to vote for Arizona colleague Matt Salmon's (R-CD5) amendment, and McSally was one of 26 Republicans to vote against the Blackburn amendment to defund the immigration-related executive actions.

Here are their statements after the smoke cleared.

Sinema: 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema voted against H.R. 240, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. Funding for the Department of Homeland Security runs out on February 27th. Sinema released the following statement after the vote:

“Congress is jeopardizing Arizona’s security by playing this dangerous and irresponsible game. This bill prevents Homeland Security from prioritizing criminals and terrorists who represent the biggest threat to our country, and it cuts funding for the Southern Border and Approaches Campaign intended to keep our southern border secure.

“As Senator Flake has said, Congress should not use a national security funding bill to argue immigration differences.

“We need to work together in a bi-partisan way to fix our immigration problems, and I'll continue to reach out to my colleagues to help find solutions. It is going to take hard work, but Arizona has waited too long for the promise of immigration reform that secures our borders, addresses our workforce needs, and creates a tough but fair path to citizenship that includes paying fines and taxes. We cannot wait any longer.”

McSally:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Martha McSally today voted to pass legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security through fiscal year 2015. The bill provides additional funding for Customs and Border Protection agents to do their jobs while improving security along our border.

“I’m glad to see the House pass legislation to fund our homeland security assets and ensure those who protect our border have the resources they need,” said McSally. “Improving border security is something on which Southern Arizonans can agree, and today’s vote gets us closer to that goal, but it is only step one. We need to continue working to address our broken border strategy. That’s why I’m working with the Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee to craft legislation that places more of our resources at the border and stops cartels, traffickers, and criminal organizations before they enter our communities.”

“By refusing to work with Congress and acting alone on immigration, the President has set a dangerous precedent that threatens the very Constitutional principles and separation of powers on which our country is founded. It’s critical that Congress, as the direct representation of the people, stand up for those principles. Going forward, our focus needs to be on securing our border and revamping the legal immigration system so it is consistent with our economic needs and provides a way for people who want to come here to work hard and contribute a simple, fast, and legal way to do so.”

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