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Republican leaders press Democrats to reopen DHS, cite border security figures
Summary
House Republicans on the floor accused Democrats of blocking funding for the Department of Homeland Security, cited CBP and other figures about Iranian entries and released migrants, and said funding is urgent amid military operations overseas.
House Republican leaders used floor remarks to press Democrats to restore funding to the Department of Homeland Security and to link the funding impasse to national security concerns.
An opening speaker accused Democrats of "shutting down" DHS and cited incidents they said illustrated the risk of an open border, including several criminal cases. "Reopen DHS and please reopen it now," the speaker said.
Speaker Mike Johnson and House Whip Steve Scalise said DHS components — the Coast Guard, FEMA, cybersecurity and counterterrorism coordination — are mission-critical while the United States faces heightened threats abroad. "It's time for Democrats to do their duty," Scalise said, urging a vote to reopen funding.
Members cited specific CBP figures while arguing urgency. Johnson referenced CBP figures and said "at least 1500 Iranians crossed the US border illegally and over 700 were released into the country," and warned of "2.2 million known gotaways," language used on the floor to describe migrants who evaded capture. Those figures were presented as reasons to restore funding for border security and related DHS functions.
Republican leaders said they would offer the House an opportunity to vote on Homeland Security funding, and they urged Democrats to support that vote. The speakers framed funding as essential to protecting U.S. infrastructure and personnel while military operations were underway overseas.
What happens next: According to floor remarks, House leaders planned a vote on DHS funding the following day and urged lawmakers to consider the national-security implications when voting.
