In the aftermath of Saturday night’s attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a New York Republican Congressman is demanding that the highest-ranking Republican in the House take action on funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“There is no time for delay,” Langworthy said in his April 27 letter. “As put on full display for the American people with the attack surrounding the White House Correspondents’ Dinner this weekend, our country remains at risk.”
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was charged on April 26 with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the April 25 annual White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Allen was allegedly armed with a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives when he breached security checkpoints outside the Washington Hilton ballroom where the event was taking place.
“We have an opportunity to act now to stabilize funding for the vast majority of DHS operations, while continuing to pursue broader, long-term efforts,” Langworthy said. “I respectfully urge you to seize this moment and bring this legislation forward for a vote without delay.”
The shutdown entered its third month last week since the DHS funding lapse began on Feb. 13.
The Senate passed the Homeland Security Essential Services Act on March 27 by voice vote that would fund parts of the DHS, such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), but not Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
“Bringing this Senate passed funding measure to the floor would send a strong and immediate signal that we are serious about governing and securing the homeland,” Langworthy said. “It would also provide much needed certainty to the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security, who should not be facing yet another potential pay interruption.”
However, Johnson views the partial Senate funding bill as an attempt to isolate and defund immigration enforcement by separating it from the rest of the DHS's agencies.
As a short-term solution to airport backlogs, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 27 to pay TSA agents who had not received a check.
“The American people are not interested in the Washington scorecard or Capitol Hill bickering, they want us to lead and get this done,” Langworthy wrote. “They are looking for action. They want solutions, even if they are partial, and they expect leadership in moments like this.”
Johnson has touted the reconciliation process as a way to fully fund the agency, including ICE and CBP, while Democrats are refusing to fund ICE and Border Patrol without restrictions on immigration enforcement practices.
A reconciliation package, also known as a reconciliation bill, is a legislative maneuver used to fast-track budget bills that would bypass the demands of Democratic members of Congress.
Langworthy acknowledged Johnson’s partisan leverage plan that prioritizes securing the border with a reconciliation bill but he also noted that the strategy requires a long game.
“While we continue to have significant work ahead to fully fund immigration enforcement through the reconciliation process, we should demonstrate clearly that we are committed to delivering solutions at the earliest possible moment,” he said.
A simple majority in the Senate for Republicans requires 51 votes, while in the House, a simple majority requires more than half of the members who are present and voting if all 435 seats are filled and every member is present.
“This situation is not of our own making,” Langworthy added. “We have been forced to navigate a quagmire of hypocrisy, obstruction, and shutdowns brought by Democrats in the Senate, hiding behind the filibuster, a tool that should be eliminated, to block meaningful progress and accountability.”