Majority Leader | Remark | Remarks | THE NEWSROOM | Repub...Skip to primary navigation Skip to content×Close THE NEWSROOMRemarks Press Releases The Leader Board Op-Eds Videos SENATE RESOURCESRepublican Senators Committees Congressional Record Congress.gov Senate Floor Webcast ABOUT LEADER THUNE×Close THE NEWSROOMRemarks Press Releases The Leader Board Op-Eds Videos SENATE RESOURCESRepublican Senators Committees Congressional Record Congress.gov Senate Floor Webcast ABOUT LEADER THUNExxsearchxMENUFacebookXInstagramFacebookXInstagramVisit Leader Thune's South Dakota Site Here THE NEWSROOMRemarks Press Releases The Leader Board Op-Eds Videos SENATE RESOURCESRepublican Senators Committees Congressional Record Congress.gov Senate Floor Webcast ABOUT LEADER THUNExxsearchxMENUHomeTHE NEWSROOMRemarks02.24.26Thune on Democrats’ DHS Shutdown“This shutdown is already hurting hardworking Americans and impacting efforts to preserve both public safety and national security.” Click here to watch the video.WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):“Mr. President, later this evening, we’re going to hear from President Trump in his State of the Union address.“In a little more than a year, President Trump and Republican majorities in Congress have delivered on our promises to the American people.“From a secure border.“To more money in Americans’ pockets.“And as the American people will hear tonight, we’re just getting started.“Mr. President, the Department of Homeland Security has been shut down for 11 days now.“It’s the second time in less than six months that Democrats have needlessly shut down all or part of the federal government.“Senators will have another opportunity today to vote to proceed to the Department of Homeland Security funding bill.“Democrats have previously opposed getting on this funding bill.“They opposed a continuing resolution that would have temporarily funded Homeland Security agencies while negotiations continued on immigration enforcement.“And all signs suggest that our Democrat colleagues will once again vote against moving to DHS funding this afternoon. “Mr. President, the Department of Homeland Security houses a number of critical agencies.“And shutting down this department has real consequences.“Democrats are threatening the work of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Of the TSA. “Of key cybersecurity offices.“FEMA training centers – like the U.S. Fire Academy in Maryland – are closed.“Roughly 45,000 Americans who are in training at one of these centers can’t go to class right now.“We’re hosting the World Cup in a few months, and some security training for that event is on hold right now because of the shutdown.“Civilian Coast Guard employees won’t get a full paycheck at the end of this week.“And thousands more Americans – from disaster response personnel at FEMA to TSA agents – are worried about potentially missing pay as soon as next week.“Mr. President, as I said, this is the second time in six months that Democrats have shut down all or part of the federal government.“The Department of Homeland Security employs thousands of Americans.“We should want the most talented and most dedicated individuals serving in these roles, but when these Americans – and their families – are routinely used as political pawns, morale suffers. “Think of what that means for these agencies’ ability to recruit and retain the very best.“But I guess none of that matters to Democrats.“Mr. President, Republicans want to get to an agreement on Homeland Security funding.“So does the White House.“And we’ve acted in good faith throughout these negotiations.“The Trump administration has taken a number of actions on its own in Minneapolis, including deploying body cameras, tailoring its mission to criminal illegal immigrants, and requiring identification for officers. “On top of those actions, the White House put forward a very serious offer to legislate reforms almost two weeks ago.“It took Democrats five days to respond – and when they did respond, it was with a counteroffer that was essentially the same as their first.“Which raises the question – and that is, are Democrats actually interested in a solution here? Or are they just interested in a political issue?“There’s room for compromise here, Mr. President, but only if both sides give room.“Democrats aren’t doing that.“Mr. President, I shouldn’t need to remind my Democrat colleagues that the Department of Homeland Security does critical work.“Border security and immigration enforcement is one part of its mission.“And it is an important mission.“We need to have a secure border.“And we need to deport criminal illegal immigrants.“Now, we can have a debate about how these tasks are undertaken.“But we’re not going to support anything that makes it impossible for law enforcement to carry out its job.“We’re not going to support anything that makes it more dangerous for officers to do their jobs.“Unfortunately, that’s what some of the Democrats’ proposals would do.“Mr. President, old habits die hard.“And unfortunately, the party of ‘defund the police’ seems to be slipping back into calls to defund law enforcement. “I hope that’s not the position of the Democrats here.“I hope our colleagues are actually willing to come to a solution.“But if they are, it’s time to show it. “This shutdown is already hurting hardworking Americans and impacting efforts to preserve both public safety and national security. “And it’s time to end it.”PrintEmailTweetPreviousTHE NEWSROOMSENATE RESOURCESABOUT LEADER THUNEFacebookXInstagram
