House Speaker Mike Johnson sharply criticized Democrats following a House vote on funding for the Department of Homeland Security, accusing them of prioritizing immigration-related policies over national security and public safety.
Johnson’s remarks came after what he described as the third vote in which a bipartisan majority of House members supported funding DHS operations, while most Democrats opposed the measure.
“We are quite frustrated right now,” Johnson said. “For the third time now, almost every Democrat in the House except for a handful voted against the bipartisan, bicameral Department of Homeland Security funding bill.”
Johnson argued the funding measure was necessary to maintain critical operations across DHS agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
He warned that continued funding disputes could impact airport security, disaster response capabilities, and broader national security functions, noting that DHS is one of the largest federal departments and plays a central role in protecting the country.
“You’re talking about TSA; you’re talking about FEMA; you’re talking about the Coast Guard,” Johnson said. “They’re not getting paychecks right now. And that’s why we have all this calamity and all of this danger.”
Johnson also framed the vote as part of a broader political divide ahead of upcoming elections, calling it a “contrast for America” and accusing Democrats of supporting policies he said undermine public safety.
Democrats have argued in previous debates over DHS funding that disagreements center on immigration policy provisions included in funding measures, rather than opposition to funding the department itself.
The latest vote underscores ongoing tensions in Congress over immigration enforcement, border security, and federal spending priorities, with both parties continuing to clash over how best to fund and manage DHS operations.