(Radio Iowa) – Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion says it’s time for a bipartisan solution to end the partial shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. “I actually think both the House and the Senate should be back in D.C. this week and we should just lock everybody in a room maybe don’t come out until there’s a bipartisan bill to fund all of D-H-S,” Hinson said. The shutdown has entered its 46th day — and it the longest shutdown in U.S. government history.
More than 500 T-S-A agents have quit. President Trump took executive action last week and T-S-A agents began receiving back pay yesterday (Monday). The House and Senate are on a two week break. “I think inaction is not adequate here and hopefully we do get called back for some votes as soon as possible ’cause I don’t want to see this shutdown go on any longer, but I do want to make it very clear that every time I’ve had the opportunity to vote on funding the Department of Homeland Security I have voted to fund the Department of Homeland Security,” Hinson said “…I’m hopeful we’re back in D.C. voting as soon as possible and I’m remain on standby to get on a plane to head back to vote.”
Last Friday the Senate unanimously approved funding most of the agency, but without funds for ICE and some of Customs and Border Enforcement operations. The House rejected that, voting instead for temporary funding for the entire agency. Hinson says Democrats are making unreasonable demands, turning ICE and Customs and Border Enforcement agents into hostages in the funding fight.
“We need to make sure that our ICE agents and our CPB agents have the resources to do their jobs…These Customs agents, for example, who are also not being paid are the ones who are handling all the incoming for international travel and all of our incoming for freight and those inspections,” Hinson said. “The left wants to end all immigration enforcement in the country and I can tell you that when I’m out talking with Iowans, they want criminal illegal aliens off our streets.”
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says Democrats will only accept the temporary funding plan that passed the Senate last week while negotiations continue on proposed limits on ICE activities. White House border czar Tom Homan says he hopes President Trump will force congress to end its two week recess and return to Washington.
