Republican Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst on Wednesday accused Democrats of stalling funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) while frontline workers and travelers suffer the consequences.
The DHS has been shut down since Feb. 14, after lawmakers failed to agree on reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Appearing on “The Lead,” Ernst rejected the idea that Republicans are obstructing relief for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees and argued that her party has repeatedly pushed for a full funding package, only to be met with resistance from Democrats.
“We have voted over and over again to open up the government and support DHS, Department of Homeland Security, as a whole appropriations bill. Now, what the Democrats are insisting upon, we’re going to parse out this piece and that piece,” Ernst told Jake Tapper. “And if we do that, I guarantee you in the future, if I have an issue with a singular department at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, I’m going to say, ‘You know what? We’re not going to fund USDA until we fund or don’t fund this particular area.’ It gets very, very messy. We know that we need to fund DHS. Let’s do it as a whole.”
Ernst said it’s urgent to resolve the DHS funding impasse.
“Let’s come together. There is a way through this, and I know there is. We have to sit down. We have to work it out. Katie Britt, Senator Britt, is working this. She is in charge of DHS appropriations in the Senate. Democrats are refusing to sit down with Senator Britt and actually walk through what their demands are. So we know that the White House made a proposal to the Democrats 18 days ago.”
The White House already offered a series of concessions aimed at breaking the deadlock over funding DHS and ending the shutdown. In a letter sent Tuesday to Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, the administration outlined five proposals intended to move negotiations forward. Officials said Democrats have resisted compromise and won’t support reopening the agency.
“Democrats must stop holding the safety and security of the American people hostage and move forward with fully funding DHS,” the letter said.
All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline, and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- Trump admin reaches settlement with Carter Page over FISA spying - April 23, 2026
- Trump Navy secretary resigns effective immediately - April 23, 2026
- Virginia circuit court rules redistricting vote unconstitutional - April 22, 2026
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!
