Finstad Calls on Sens. Klobuchar, Smith to End Irresponsible DHS Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) released the following statement after House passage of H.R. 7744 - the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026, again calling on Senate Democrats, including Sen. Klobuchar and Sen. Smith, to end the political gamesmanship and fully fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

"For weeks, Democrats have held DHS funding hostage, disrupting Coast Guard, FEMA, and TSA operations. Last month, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan funding package to fund DHS. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats have refused to pass this legislation, deliberately putting our national security at risk.

"Again today, Democrats had another chance to put politics aside and vote to reopen DHS. Instead, nearly every one of them chose to continue to put their partisanship above the men and women who protect our homeland. As lawmakers, the safety of every American should be a shared priority, especially now at a time of increased terror threats and cyberattacks. Additionally, with today's announcement of new leadership within DHS, there is even greater opportunity to ensure our nation's largest law enforcement agency has the resources it needs to keep our communities safe.

"The American people are watching. It's past time we rip the "D" and "R" off our sweaters and get this done. I once again urge Senator Klobuchar, Senator Smith, and their Democrat colleagues to do the right thing, put the safety of our families, friends, and neighbors first, and reopen the Department of Homeland Security."

Permalink: https://finstad.house.gov/2026/3/finstad-calls-on-sens-klobuchar-smith-to-end-irresponsible-dhs-shutdown