Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2026

Floor Speech

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Mr. McDOWELL. Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that we point out that as our Democratic colleagues across the aisle are pointing a finger at us, there are three fingers pointing back at them.

What we need to look at is exactly what they have done. For the last 4 years of Joe Biden, they let all of these people into our country. We are trying to get rid of them. There was a mandate by the American people for us to do that. That is what we are trying to do.

We are also trying to do one of our very basic functions as Congress, which is to pass appropriations bills. While they want to blame us, I will remind them that each time that has come up, it has passed out of this Chamber with bipartisan support, and then it has gone to the Senate where it has died.

The President, the Senate, our leadership, they have tried to come to an agreement. They will not let us. That is exactly what is happening.

Mr. Speaker, this is day 74, 74 days, that is exactly how long the Department of Homeland Security has been shut down, 74 days, Mr. Speaker.

Let's be clear about one thing: Democrats have forced this shutdown to defund law enforcement and gamble with the safety of our country. They are pushing an agenda that leads to lawlessness in our communities. They are willing to let dangerous, illegal aliens, murderers, rapists, and drug traffickers walk our streets and destroy our communities. They are even willing to force Americans to stand in long TSA lines simply as leverage to force their agenda.

Maybe they were fine with the millions of illegal aliens who were released into our communities under the Biden administration, and maybe they were fine with the massive flow of drugs that poured across our southern border, but my constituents were not, Mr. Speaker. The American people were not. House Republicans will keep the promises that we made. We will do what it takes to keep Americans safe and secure.

Despite the Democratic resistance, we will stand on principles and deliver for the American people. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote to get us back on track to fully reopening the Department of Homeland Security.

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