U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the Senate floor as funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was set to expire. Thune expressed concern that Democrats may allow funding for key agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, TSA, Coast Guard, and cybersecurity operations, to lapse.
Thune reviewed recent negotiations on DHS appropriations. “Because it was a mere three weeks ago, we had a bipartisan agreement on the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill. Bipartisan, Mr. President. Both House and Senate Democrats had signed off,” Thune said.
He noted that the initial agreement included funding for body cameras and deescalation training for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, as well as increased oversight of ICE and Border Patrol spending. However, Thune stated that Democrats withdrew from this agreement and requested more time to renegotiate.
“Despite our bipartisan agreement, Republicans agreed to their request for additional time to consider this bill before final passage,” he said. According to Thune, Democrats insisted on a two-week extension but took over a week to present new demands and legislative text.
Thune criticized Democrats’ approach: “Unfortunately, once they got their two-week agreement, Democrats showed little urgency when it came to negotiations.” He added that while the White House responded quickly with proposed legislative text and counterproposals, “it’s increasingly looking like Democrats are not” committed to reaching an agreement.
The senator questioned whether Democrats were seeking policy changes or political leverage: “So what is it – what is it, Mr. President – that Democrats want? Policy changes? Or is it a political issue?”
Thune called on Democrats to agree to another continuing resolution (CR) to provide more time for negotiation or risk a shutdown of DHS—what he described would be their second such shutdown in the fiscal year.
“We warned Democrats they were not allowing enough time for this process,” Thune said. He argued that Republicans have made efforts in good faith by accommodating requests from both Democrats and the White House.
Later in his remarks, Thune emphasized the importance of keeping federal agencies operational: “We will be voting today to keep all of those open with reforms – with reforms – to Immigration and Customs Enforcement…”
Thune serves as Senate Republican Whip and represents South Dakota in the U.S. Senate. His work includes committee assignments in Finance; Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; and Commerce, Science and Transportation according to his official website. He also engages in community outreach initiatives across South Dakota and supports veterans through various services for constituents.
The Senate was expected later in the day to vote on both the previously negotiated DHS appropriations bill and an extension allowing further negotiation time.
