Congressman Mackenzie’s DHS Funding Resolution Passes House Alongside Latest Appropriations Bill

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), representing the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos, spoke on the House floor today in support of his resolution thanking Department of Homeland Security (DHS) staff and calling for full funding of the department. Following his remarks, a bipartisan majority in the House voted to pass the resolution and — for the third time — an appropriations bill funding the Department. DHS staff — including Coast Guard, FEMA, and TSA employees — have been working without paychecks since February 14th. 

Despite receiving bipartisan support from a Senate majority, some Democrats are preventing DHS funding legislation from reaching the 60 votes needed for passage. Democratic leadership has tied the DHS funding to demands for additional changes to ICE policy despite the current shutdown not affecting ICE operations or paychecks. The partial government shutdown has resulted in over 200,000 workers going without pay, hundreds of employees quitting, and the longest lines in TSA history. 

“For the third time in six months, politics is getting in the way of giving critical American workers the pay they’ve earned,” said Congressman Mackenzie. “Frontline workers, like TSA agents at Lehigh Valley International Airport, should not lose their paychecks because of political games. That’s why I introduced this resolution thanking our DHS employees and calling for full funding alongside commonsense, bipartisan reforms. It’s time for the Senate to come together to finish the job.” 

Read the resolution HERE

Watch the Congressman’s remarks HERE

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