Thune on DHS Funding: Time Is of the Essence

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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, on Friday funding for the Department of Homeland Security will expire.

"When we passed a short, two-week stopgap for the department - at Democrats' insistence - many of us said it would not be long enough.

"I made that case repeatedly.

"Standing here today, I regret to say that we have been proved right.

"The re-negotiation that Democrats demanded with the Trump administration last month is - unsurprisingly - taking some time.

"Democrats took more than a week to coalesce around a set of demands.

"And it was just this past weekend that they put those demands into writing.

"On Monday - just two days later - the administration countered, and I expect Democrats will shortly receive detailed text for further consideration.

"A quick turn, I might add, after a long wait.

"By any measure, a good-faith engagement from our friends at the White House.

"Do I think the parties are on a path that could culminate in a deal? Yes.

"Will they need more time to get there? Absolutely.

"So I hope our Democrat friends will remain at the table and give talks more time to mature.

"The alternative path should interest no one - and that is a needless shutdown that will see funding lapse for our Coast Guard, our cybersecurity, for airport security, and for disaster response."

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