Congressman Mackenzie Calls on Congress to Fund the Department of Homeland Security

Encourages action to pursue commonsense reform, limit impact on servicemembers

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), representing the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos, called on Congress to work together to reopen the Department of Homeland Security, whose funding has been blocked by Senate Democrats. Congressman Mackenzie has voted to fund the Department as part of deals which passed the House, but Senate Democrats have repeatedly prevented this appropriation from receiving the 60 votes needed.

Congressman Mackenzie has called for Congress to pursue commonsense, bipartisan reforms to strengthen transparency and accountability while also advocating for greater cooperation on the part of local municipalities. The DHS funding bill passed by the House included $20 million for body cameras, requirements for de-escalation training, and additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General. As a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, the Congressman recently participated in a DHS oversight hearing.

"Once again, some in Congress are choosing to prioritize partisanship ahead of public safety," said Congressman Mackenzie. "There is broad, bipartisan agreement on reforms that will safeguard ICE transparency and accountability, which was already reflected in the existing DHS funding bill. It's disappointing that instead of building on this progress, some in Congress are choosing to pursue yet another partisan shutdown."

While the shutdown ostensibly targets ICE and CBP, these agencies have already received funding through reconciliation. This leaves other essential agencies, including TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard, most impacted. Congressman Mackenzie is a cosponsor of the Pay our Coast Guard Parity Act, which would protect the salaries and benefits of servicemembers in the Coast Guard in the event of a shutdown.

"As I've made clear in the past, shutdowns are the wrong way to settle differences of this kind," said Congressman Mackenzie. "At a time when bipartisan support exists for transparency and accountability measures, this partisan shutdown represents a cruel assault on thousands of federal workers who already went six weeks without a paycheck during the previous shutdown. I call on my colleagues to ensure that servicemembers no longer get used as pawns in these situations by joining me in supporting the Pay our Coast Guard Parity Act. Throughout this process, I'll stay focused on funding the Department, paying workers, and achieving commonsense, bipartisan reform."