House GOP Urges Senate to Fund DHS Amid Shutdown

House Republican Pushes Senate to End DHS Funding Lapse

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) faces its 46th day without full funding, as Congress remains on recess with no clear end in sight. The shutdown has impacted essential services, with TSA officers recently receiving paychecks after working without pay for weeks. The White House has called on Congress to return to Washington to resolve the funding crisis.

Congressman Kennedy Criticizes Shutdowns, Blames Democrats

Utah Republican Congressman Mike Kennedy, speaking on the ongoing DHS shutdown, condemned such funding lapses as “total nonsense.” He recalled a bipartisan bill passed by both chambers over 40 days ago that could have resolved the issue. Kennedy suggested that Democrats used the shutdown as a “political weapon” following recent tragic events, which he found “totally unacceptable.” He advocates for the “No Work, No Pay Act,” which would prevent members of Congress and federal workers from being paid during a shutdown. He also supports automatically implementing a continuing resolution for two weeks if a shutdown occurs, with extensions until a full resolution is reached.

Senate’s Proposal Deemed Unacceptable by House Republicans

Kennedy explained that the Senate’s proposed bill was unacceptable because it would have effectively eliminated funding for Border Patrol and ICE. He argued that this would not only prevent necessary payments but also jeopardize investigations into child sex trafficking. The House proposed a 60-day continuing resolution to maintain current funding levels while negotiations continue. Kennedy stated, “The ball’s in their court and they should come back and fund that continuing resolution while we continue these negotiations.”

Concerns Over Budget Cuts and Precedent

Addressing the claim that the Senate’s plan would have funded the rest of the Department, Kennedy clarified that the “zeroing out” of the budget would impact an estimated 50-60% of Border Patrol and ICE funding, affecting crucial support staff. He also warned against the Senate picking and choosing parts of appropriations packages, calling it a “terrible precedent” that could stall all future appropriations bills. Kennedy emphasized that appropriations packages traditionally start in the House and urged Senate Democrats to support the package they had previously agreed upon.

Reconciliation Bill Discussed as Potential, but Slow, Option

The possibility of using a reconciliation bill, which requires only 51 votes in the Senate, was discussed as a way to fund DHS outside the normal appropriations process. However, Kennedy expressed reservations, stating that while he supports the idea of a reconciliation bill, the process takes too much time. He noted that passing a budget resolution and conducting negotiations would delay essential funding, which is urgently needed. “Time is of the essence,” he stressed, highlighting that hundreds of DHS employees have already resigned due to the shutdown.

Broader Geopolitical and Economic Concerns

The conversation briefly shifted to geopolitical issues, including the deployment of additional troops to the Middle East and the ongoing conflict with Iran. Kennedy stated he would not support putting U.S. soldiers on the ground in Iran, believing the situation can be resolved without direct military engagement. He described Iran as a “terrorist nation” that threatens global stability and seeks to develop nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles. He expressed support for President Trump’s actions in this regard, emphasizing the protection of American lives.

Gas Prices and Economic Sacrifices

The discussion also touched upon rising gas prices, with the national average exceeding $4 per gallon. Kennedy acknowledged the concern of his constituents and linked the price increases to Iran’s influence over oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz. He characterized the current economic situation as a “temporary, painful, yet temporary state of circumstances,” comparing it to the necessity of surgery to address a serious issue. He expressed confidence that President Trump’s approach would lead to a resolution and eventual decrease in prices.

Source: ‘Ball is in their court’: House Republican calls on Senate to pass continuing resolution to fund DHS (YouTube)