Barrett Statement on Democrats’ Reckless Shutdown of Homeland Security Putting Americans at Risk

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) today released the following statement calling out congressional Democrats for shutting down the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which will run out of funding at midnight.

“Over 95% of the federal government is funded for the full fiscal year, but Democrats are about to shut down the Department of Homeland Security,” said Barrett. “Without adequate funding, FEMA will have difficulty responding to natural disasters. TSA will struggle to screen passengers at airports across the country. The Coast Guard will be forced to risk their lives to keep us safe without a paycheck. Not to mention the more than 260,000 employees who will be thrust into uncertainty. Make no mistake: Democrats own the consequences of this avoidable lapse in DHS funding.”

Last month, Barrett voted for a DHS funding bill that was negotiated by House and Senate leaders from both parties and the White House. The bill, which included $20 million for body cameras to strengthen accountability for immigration officers, passed the House with bipartisan support. Following the vote, Senate Democrats changed their position and opposed the bill over disagreements with the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement. Congress passed a two-week extension of DHS funding, which will expire tonight.

Senate Republicans on Thursday attempted to pass the bipartisan funding bill, but almost every Senate Democrat blocked the bill, which would need seven Democrat votes to overcome the filibuster. Democrat leaders have rejected proposed compromises from the Trump administration and guaranteed the department will shut down — all while knowing that ICE and CBP have sufficient funding and will continue operating in a shutdown.

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