Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) addressed the Senate regarding an upcoming vote to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). For nearly three weeks, Senate Democrats have not agreed to provide funding for DHS and its related agencies.
Barrasso criticized Democrats for what he described as a shutdown of the department, emphasizing the importance of preventing terrorism as identified in a recent Gallup poll. He stated, “There’s a poll that’s out by Gallup, and it says what should be ‘very important in terms of U.S. foreign policy goals.’ And the number one thing is to prevent future acts of international terrorism. Well, how do we prevent it? Who is it in this country that counters terrorism? It’s the Department of Homeland Security which the Democrats – and they’re going to have to vote again today – are likely, as they’ve announced, to vote to keep it shut down. That is a betrayal of the American people. He used the word ‘betrayal’ and to me, that’s where it fits: with what actions the Democrats are likely to take today.”
He continued by referencing another priority from the same poll: “What’s the number two ‘very important purpose of U.S. foreign policy as a goal’ from the Gallup poll of the American people? Number two is preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction. So what do we hear the Minority Leader talk about? His opposition to the efforts to show Peace through Strength and undermine the ability of Iran to develop and use and deploy nuclear weapons. Once again, betrayal by the Democrats of the American people.”
Barrasso called for immediate funding: “Today, the Senate will vote on a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. This vital department needs to be funded immediately. The Democrats have been blocking it for weeks. Protecting the American people is not optional. It is the first duty of government.”
He accused Democrats of holding up DHS funding due to their stance on immigration enforcement: “For three weeks, Democrats have held hostage the Department of Homeland Security. Why? Because Democrats continue to prioritize illegal immigrant criminals ahead of American citizens. Democrats have shut down the Department of Homeland Security because they want to end immigration enforcement in America. Democrats refuse to fund the Department of Homeland Security because they want to turn America into a sanctuary country.”
Barrasso also linked recent security threats with border policy: “Now that America has struck Iran, the number one threat to our homeland is the threat of terrorism… When Joe Biden was in office, 1,500 illegal immigrants from Iran were arrested at our southern border. Democrats released half of them into our country.” He questioned who these individuals are and raised concerns about those who entered without being apprehended.
Discussing operational impacts during this period without full funding, Barrasso noted that only 800 out of more than 2,000 employees at DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency remain at work without pay while others are furloughed.
He said, “The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency – which is part of the Department of Homeland Security – protects our nation’s critical infrastructure, including our energy infrastructure. Today, only 800 of its over 2,000 employees are on the job. And they’re working without pay… Because of this shutdown, agency has canceled both physical and cybersecurity assessments… Shutting down [DHS] makes our country less safe and makes our citizens more vulnerable.”
He added that Republicans had attempted negotiations with Democratic leadership but said those efforts had not resulted in reopening DHS.
In closing remarks aimed at his colleagues across party lines Barrasso stated: “America’s safety and security is not a bargaining chip. I will vote with my Republican colleagues today to fully fund [DHS] without delay.”
