Moolenaar Votes to Fund Homeland Security... Again

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar voted in favor of H.R. 8029, the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act. The legislation comes as the partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security enters its 40th day. This is the third attempt by House Republicans to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

"DHS agents with TSA, FEMA, Border Patrol, and Coast Guard are vital to keeping our nation safe and have worked now for over a month without pay as this shutdown continues. In the House, I supported three bills to prevent or end the shutdown and fully fund DHS. Meanwhile, my Democrat colleagues have voted against each of these commonsense measures to ensure those who keep us safe get paid. It's long past due for Democrats to compromise on their demands, and fund DHS," said Moolenaar.

The Department of Homeland Security remains shut down since funding lapsed for the department on February 14. Many DHS agencies are deemed essential, requiring its employees to work without pay for the duration of government shutdowns.

Over 450 TSA agents resigned since the beginning of the shutdown.

H.R. 8029 passed the House of Representatives in a vote of 218 to 206. Only 4 members of the Democrat party supported the legislation.