U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said on Mar. 10 that the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has reached its 25th day, attributing responsibility to Senate Democrats for not engaging in negotiations to resolve the funding impasse.
The issue is significant because it affects national security agencies and federal employees who are not receiving pay, including those working in cybersecurity, border protection, transportation security, and disaster response. Thune said these disruptions have real consequences for public safety and government operations.
In his remarks from the Senate floor, Thune said, “This is now the [25th] day of the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.” He described how a bipartisan appropriations bill had been negotiated and passed by both chambers before Democrats withdrew their support. “So we had an agreed-upon Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill. And then what happened? Well, the Democrats decided they didn’t like that bill anymore, decided to walk away from it,” Thune said.
Thune also highlighted reforms included in the original legislation such as $20 million for body cameras and deescalation training for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. He said Republicans and the White House have made multiple proposals to address additional Democratic requests but have not received a response. “What makes this even more stark…is you have now agencies of government with employees who aren’t going to get paid that perform important national security functions,” he said.
Thune represents South Dakota in the U.S. Senate and serves as Senate Republican Whip while holding committee positions on Finance; Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; and Commerce, Science and Transportation according to his official website. He focuses on agriculture, energy policy, economic development initiatives, community outreach efforts, public events participation, legislative advocacy for veterans’ issues, and providing constituent services such as casework assistance according to his official website.
Concluding his remarks on the Senate floor, Thune said: “You want reforms? Our side, the White House have been willing to sit down…But frankly…it’s hard to get to a solution when you have one party that refuses to even sit down and talk.”
The broader impact remains uncertain as negotiations continue. The next steps involve further attempts at passing a continuing resolution or reaching an agreement between both parties.
