Twenty Days of Democrat Obstruction, Twenty Days of Weakened Homeland Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the Department of Homeland Security reaches twenty days of being shut down, Congressional Democrats are stonewalling funding as threats to the homeland only grow. Just yesterday, over 200 House Democrats voted against funding critical agencies and services that protect the American people.

Here’s what members of the Republican Study Committee are saying as Senate Democrats continue to keep DHS operations at a standstill:

“Threats to our homeland are only growing, and over 200 House Democrats voted against funding the Department of Homeland Security yesterday,” said RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11). “At a time when our nation is facing escalating threats from foreign adversaries, playing political games is unacceptable. Democrats must wake up and realize their political games have direct consequences for America’s national security.”

“Every day the Department of Homeland Security goes unfunded, especially at a time of increased threats from Mexican cartels and possible Iranian sleeper cells operating in the U.S., is one more day that Democrats are showing our country they care more about protecting criminal illegal aliens than the safety of our citizens,” said RSC Budget and Spending Task Force Chair Beth Van Duyne (TX-24).

“An escalating conflict in the Middle East is no time to play games with national security,” said Rep. Harriet Hageman. “Americans are now confronted with deadly threats on multiple fronts, from foreign sleeper cells inspired by Iranian attacks to cartels exploited by adversaries to target us. The United States must remain vigilant with a fully funded Coast Guard, airport security, and disaster response force. Allowing any security agency to go unfunded at a moment of heightened danger is a reckless maneuver that jeopardizes the safety of the American people," said RSC Article One Task Force Chair Harriet Hageman (WY-AL).

“In the wake of the tragedy in my hometown of Austin and as tensions with Iran escalate, our country faces serious and immediate threats. Now more than ever, the Department of Homeland Security must be fully funded and fully operational. It’s disgraceful that Democrats are again choosing to play politics with our national security. Democrats should join Republicans in putting the safety of Americans first,” said Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21).

“One’s got to hope that the Democrats see the light here. This posture that they’ve had against this administration for deporting people that are not only here illegally, but violent criminals that are here illegally, is ridiculous. Ironically, not funding Homeland Security doesn’t defund ICE — it’s been funded for several years. They’re really just punishing TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard. It’s a really bad position that they’re putting the country in,”said Rep. Eric Burlison (MO-07).

“Now is not the time to leave agencies critical to our national security in limbo. With global tensions rising and real threats facing our homeland, the Department of Homeland Security must be fully funded and operational,” Fedorchak said. “Reopening DHS is the responsible thing to do at a time when America must project strength and readiness at home. It’s hard to understand why Democrats continue to jeopardize the safety and security of the American people,” said Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL).

“For 20 days, Democrats have chosen political theater over the safety of the American people. At a time when threats from Iran are escalating and Americans are confronting acts of terror like the recent shooting in Austin, this is more important than ever. Yet Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer continue to appease their radical base instead of putting the safety of our communities first. From the border to our cities, the cost of weak leadership is measured in American lives. Democrats need to wake up, stop the obstruction, and fund the Department of Homeland Security today," said Rep. Brian Babin (TX-36).

"20 days into this shutdown, it's clear Democrats have no plan. They're simply holding homeland security as a political hostage while Coasties in my district patrol our southern border, and others serve across the world without pay. Civilian support staff can't work, active-duty personnel are stretched thin, and the cartels look to thrive in the chaos. The games need to end," said Rep. Michael Cloud (TX-27).

“For weeks, the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security have continued to do their jobs without pay while Washington Democrats play politics with our national security. TSA agents, Coast Guard members, and DHS personnel are still protecting our country and keeping Americans safe. Clearly Democrats don’t care about those protecting the homeland, which is why Leader Thune should nuke the filibuster and fund DHS and pass the SAVE Act,” said Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17).

“For the last 20 days, Democrats have been holding the Department of Homeland Security hostage at the very moment credible threats to our homeland are increasing. After the recent attack in Austin and developments in the Middle East, it is indefensible to allow this DHS funding lapse to continue. DHS plays a substantial role in protecting the American people, and we must have the agency operating at full capacity. This shutdown must end,”said Rep. Michael Guest (MS-03).

"It is a shame to see Members of Congress continuously vote against critical public security services that protect our homeland," said Rep. Crank. "We are now into the third week of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, which poses a great risk to our nation during a heightened threat environment from our adversaries. The House passed this bill due to our strong Republican leadership and backing of the President and his policies. I strongly encourage Senate Democrats to put the safety of the American people over politics and join us in voting to reopen DHS,” said Rep. Jeff Crank (CO-05).