U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) called on Democrats to take action and fund the Department of Homeland Security in remarks delivered on the Senate floor on March 26.
Thune said that ongoing disagreements have left Transportation Security Administration agents and other Department of Homeland Security employees working without pay for much of the fiscal year, raising concerns about their well-being and the functioning of key federal services.
“Mr. President, enough is enough! Republicans have bent over backward to negotiate with Democrats. And now Democrats need to get serious about funding the Department of Homeland Security,” Thune said during his speech. He recounted a series of negotiations between Republicans and Democrats, noting that initial agreements had included reforms such as deescalation training for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, increased funding for body cameras, and greater oversight for border security spending. According to Thune, these agreements fell through when “Democrats reneged on that agreement,” prompting further talks that did not yield a resolution.
Thune criticized recent Democratic proposals as insufficient, saying they would leave immigration enforcement operations unfunded even if other parts of the department received money. He stated, “It seems that Democrats have no interest in reaching an agreement.” He also highlighted hardships faced by federal workers: “Thanks to Democrats, TSA agents have spent almost half – almost half – of the fiscal year working without pay… It’s no wonder they’re quitting in droves.” Thune cited media reports describing some workers selling blood or plasma to make ends meet.
According to the official website, Thune has held several leadership roles in the Senate including majority leader and previously Republican whip and conference chairman. He has served on committees such as Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Commerce, Science and Transportation; and Finance.
Thune grew up in Murdo, South Dakota where he developed an early interest in public service after meeting a congressman according to his official biography. He earned degrees from Biola University (bachelor’s) and the University of South Dakota (master’s in business administration).
He won historic Senate elections including one against a sitting party leader and another without opposition according to his official biography. Together with his wife Kimberley they raised two daughters while maintaining a home in Sioux Falls; they are grandparents to six grandchildren.
In closing his remarks on DHS funding negotiations, Thune said: “How much worse do things have to get, how many more Americans have to suffer before Democrats do their jobs and work with Republicans to fund the government?”
The broader debate over DHS funding continues amid concerns about employee welfare at federal agencies responsible for national security.
