U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on Mar. 25 that the Department of Homeland Security has now been shut down for 40 days, blaming Senate Democrats for the ongoing closure.
The extended shutdown has left many employees working without pay and is affecting critical government operations. Thune said this situation cannot continue, noting the impact on both workers and travelers.
“Mr. President, we’re on day 40 of Democrats’ shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security,” Thune said in remarks delivered from the Senate floor. He added, “Altogether, thanks to Senate Democrats, a lot of DHS employees have been working without pay for more than 80 days so far this fiscal year.” Thune criticized his Democratic colleagues for rejecting a Republican proposal to halt senators’ pay during the shutdown and urged them to consider what it is like for federal workers who are not being paid.
Thune also pointed out that transportation security agents are leaving their jobs due to missed paychecks and described growing frustration among travelers at U.S. airports. He called attention to a Republican bill that he says would fund key agencies such as TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, and cybersecurity staff: “Democrats have repeatedly said that they want to pay TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, and employees who defend America from cyberattacks. This bill would do it.” He concluded by expressing hope that an agreement could be reached soon: “I hope Democrats will work with us to finalize an agreement and reopen the Department of Homeland Security this week.”
Thune’s background includes serving as majority leader as well as previous leadership roles such as Republican whip and conference chairman according to his official website. He serves on several committees including Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Commerce, Science and Transportation; and Finance according to his official website. Thune grew up in Murdo, South Dakota where meeting a congressman inspired him toward public service according to his official website.
He earned degrees from Biola University (bachelor’s) and University of South Dakota (master’s in business administration) according to his official website. In addition to historic election wins—including defeating a sitting party leader—he ran campaigns focused on term limits according to his official website. Together with his wife Kimberley he raised two daughters in Sioux Falls; they now have six grandchildren according to his official website.
