Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) criticized Democrats on Mar. 25 for what he described as the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, saying it has led to financial hardship for federal employees and threatens national security.
Barrasso said the shutdown has caused members of the Department of Homeland Security to work without pay, leading some to sell plasma for income. He also pointed to community efforts in Casper, Wyoming, where local organizations are collecting supplies and gift cards for affected Transportation Security Administration employees. “I come to the Floor today after hearing the Minority Leader talk about the ongoing problem that the country is seeing before their very eyes, which is the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security caused by the Democrats,” Barrasso said during his remarks.
Barrasso said Republicans have repeatedly tried to pass proposals to reopen and fund Homeland Security but accused Democrats of shifting their position. “The Democrats have continued to move the goalposts over all of this time where we’re talking about the importance of funding the Department of Homeland Security,” he said.
He highlighted that local support has emerged in response: “My own Rotary Club in Casper, Wyoming, came out today with an email… One of the members… has offered a matching donation… for supplies and gift cards to be donated to TSA employees at the airport.” According to Barrasso’s account from his community outreach, approximately 40 TSA workers in Casper are not being paid while continuing their duties.
Barrasso also referenced a statement by a Democratic senator who reportedly said undocumented immigrants were “the people we care most about,” contrasting this with what he described as neglect toward federal workers. “The people that Democrats care most about are… illegal immigrants,” Barrasso said.
According to the official website, Barrasso resides with his three children in Casper and operates offices across Wyoming and Washington D.C. He chairs several Senate committees focused on energy policy and public lands issues. The website also notes that Barrasso supports policies promoting energy affordability and opportunities for ranchers, focusing on state priorities such as economy, energy production, national parks, public lands management, and trade. He was recognized as Wyoming Physician of the Year due to his work as an orthopedic surgeon.
