Rutherford Statement on CR to End DHS Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Saturday, U.S. Congressman John H. Rutherford (FL-05) released the following statement on the Continuing Resolution (CR) to reopen and fund the Department of Homeland Security:

"Over the last 40 days, Senate Democrats have held our Department of Homeland Security, and the safety and security of the American people, hostage," saidRutherford. "They have denied more than 100,000 American families billions in take-home pay, stopped critical training for U.S. Secret Service, FEMA, TSA, and the Coast Guard, hindered investigations into drug trafficking, cybercrime, child exploitation, and human trafficking, halted preparations for major upcoming events like the FIFA World Cup and America 250, and created chaos at our nation's airports."

"The bill that the Senate passed, in the dead of night with only five Senators present in the Chamber, defunds law enforcement by reducing funding for CBP and ICE to ZERO and leaves us exposed to critical attacks and open borders, endangering the lives of American citizens. This is unacceptable. While I would rather see a full-year funding bill pass than a CR, I will not vote to defund ICE and CBP. That is why I voted yes on the CR last night to extend funding for these critical agencies until May 22, 2026.

"The hardworking men and women at TSA, FEMA, CISA, Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, ICE, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Coast Guard must be paid for the important work they are doing right now to keep Americans safe. National security is neither a game nor a political bargaining chip. Last night, I was proud to vote to pay law enforcement, protect the American public, and reopen the Department of Homeland Security on the House floor."