Kelly votes to fund Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed by voice vote a measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) -- including funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Secret Service, and other agencies -- after the majority of congressional Democrats previously voted to keep DHS shut down for more than 70 days.

This vote follows a separate vote Wednesday night to advance a budget resolution that would fund Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The budget resolution, commonly referred to as "Reconciliation 2.0," would allow congressional Republicans to pass DHS funding -- specifically for ICE and Border Patrol employees -- by a simple majority in both the House and Senate.

"Over the last two months, during a period of heightened global tensions, Democrats have shamefully played games with American national security. This legislation says, 'enough is enough,'" said Rep. Kelly. "From the start, House Republicans have voted to fund DHS. Democrats have not. This legislation puts our national security and the American people first."

BACKGROUND

On March 27, Rep. Kelly and House Republicans voted for the fourth time to fund the Department of Homeland Security and to end the shutdown.

This new budget resolution would allow for a simple majority in both the House and Senate to advance DHS funding. Previously, A 60-vote majority is needed to advance a funding bill in the Senate, meaning Senate Democrats would have been required to join congressional Republicans to fund DHS.

Democrats have prolonged the shutdown by refusing to vote for funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).