WASHINGTON, D.C. – This weekend’s shooting has put additional pressure on House leadership to move forward with the Senate approved Department of Homeland Security funding bill. On Monday, Speaker Mike Johnson (R- LA) has called the measure “problematic” and will have to change to pass the House.
For more than two months, Congress has been at an impasse over funding for the DHS, but following this weekend’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ dinner with the President in attendance, members on both sides of the aisle are pushing House leadership to move forward with the Senate approved DHS funding measure.
“We need to come together, all parties, Democrats, Republicans and Independents and reopen and refund the Department of Homeland Security,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy (R- NY). He sent a letter to the Speaker on Monday urging him to put the Senate measure on the House floor for a vote.
This bill essentially funds most of DHS with the exception of ICE and Border Patrol. Rep. Langworthy said he will continue his support for funding ICE and CBP through the reconciliation process but urges the House to move forward with the Senate approved bill at a time he says threats to the President and his cabinet are at an all-time high.
“There’s no time for delay and this weekend was another reminder of why it puts our country at risk,” said Rep. Langworthy.
“The Senate has twice passed, twice passed DHS funding unanimously starting 33 days ago,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D- NY).
Democrats on Tuesday were urging the House to move forward with the measure.
“Republicans continue to undermine our security by infighting and delaying the DHS bill,” said Sen. Schumer. “If Trump and the republicans really care about security they should join Democrats in funding Secret Service, TSA, FEMA, CISA, the Coast Guard and the other DHS agencies. The bill is written the votes are there.”
But on Monday the Speaker said there’s problematic language in the Senate bill:
“We have a modified version that I think is going to be much better for both chambers,” said the Speaker. “Doesn’t change most of the substance, but it makes sure that we’re not going to orphan two of the primary agencies of DHS. We have to make sure. That immigration law is enforced and that the border is safe and secure.”
