Rep. Scholten Statement on Voting No on Department of Homeland Security Funding

WASHINGTON, DC- Today, U.S. Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03) released the following statement after voting against the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026:

"I cannot in good conscience support today's DHS funding bill that gives power to rogue and unaccountable federal enforcement agents. As a former Department of Justice attorney who worked on immigration enforcement issues at our nation's top law enforcement agency, I take national security and border safety seriously. I have cast tough, responsible votes to ensure our borders are secure and our nation is protected.

"The Department of Homeland Security plays a critical role in domestic and national security, as well as emergency preparedness, and those functions should be funded. But far too many Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are operating outside of the rule of law-terrorizing communities and even killing United States citizens.

"Enough is enough. Our job here in Congress is to provide a check on the other branches of government and on the agencies under them. That means funding the critical functions of DHS but also demanding accountability when enforcement actions put innocent lives at risk and undermine trust in law enforcement.

"While this funding bill passed, it did not pass with my vote, nor did it pass with the support of West Michiganders, who want to see secure borders and enforcement that lives up to the rule of law."

###