Cole Statement on the Secure America Act

Washington, D.C. – House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after supporting the Secure America Act, legislation that delivers long-term funding for ICE and Border Patrol personnel, immigration enforcement operations, and other critical homeland security priorities after repeated efforts by Senate Democrats to obstruct funding, trigger government shutdowns, and derail the regular appropriations process:
  

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Chairman Tom Cole said, “Terrorists. Cartels. Human traffickers. Drug smugglers. Each day, ICE and Border Patrol agents and officers confront these threats head-on to keep America safe. It’s exactly why I have consistently voted to comprehensively resource these law enforcement professionals as they carry out their security missions. While the far-left hoped to eradicate funding for critical operations and weaken our border security apparatus, House Republicans have made clear that we will continue to support those who defend our homeland and keep our communities safe.
 
“I do not regret the objective of our actions today, but I am appalled by the complete failure of Senate Democrats that led us to this moment. Chuck Schumer and his radical caucus twice shut down the government, instigating chaos across the nation. Since then, they have continued to diminish Article I and forced the use of reconciliation. It’s wrong – and deliberately undermines the appropriations process.
 
“The Constitution entrusts Congress with the power of the purse. Yet in great irony, the Senate has shown greater concern for protecting an internal rule than fulfilling its constitutional duty. The filibuster is nothing more than an institutional habit. It is neither mentioned nor sanctioned in our founding documents. I would remind my peers on the other side of the Rotunda that no chamber precedent is greater than the bedrock of our Republic. Members swear an oath to uphold the Constitution – not the filibuster.
 
“I thoroughly regret the erosion of Article I authority that Senate Democrats have instigated, and the price everyday Americans have been forced to pay as a result. I hope the months-long charade that led us to this moment serves as a reminder that no partisan fixation is worth shutting down the government, abandoning constitutional responsibilities, and forcing Congress into extraordinary measures simply to perform its most basic duties.
 
“I believe in the Constitution, the power of the purse, and completing the appropriations process. I also believe in keeping the homeland safe. The Senate may have abandoned proper governing, but I will not abandon those who stand watch over our borders and protect our communities.
 
“Our work, of course, doesn't end here. As our FY27 appropriations markups near completion, I am reminded that governing is a choice. The work I do, the votes I cast, and the actions I take will always be guided by one principle: fulfilling our obligations to the American people.”
 
Background: 

• Funding the government is a constitutional imperative.
• Senate Democrats initiated both the longest full and partial government shutdowns in U.S. history.
• The House and Senate previously struck a bipartisan and bicameral deal to finalize all Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills.
• The House acted expeditiously to pass these bills, marking historic progress for our appropriations process and progress to return to ‘regular order.’
• After helping negotiate the deal, Senate Democrats altered it at the last minute, undermining DHS funding.
• Shutting down DHS didn’t achieve immigration results or zero out resources for U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement as Democrats hoped.
• In fact, the very reforms Democrats originally helped secure in the FY26 bill, which included requiring the use of body-worn cameras, placing restrictions on immigration enforcement at sensitive locations like hospitals and schools, increasing congressional oversight, and requiring agents to wear visible officer identification while carrying out immigration enforcement activities, were lost since they rejected the bill.
• Chairman Cole has consistently made it clear that government shutdowns are reckless and harmful.
• Unlike Senate Democrats, who have abandoned their word and moved the goalposts on negotiated deals multiple times, he has provided steady leadership and advanced full-year funding through the House for all 12 appropriations bills.
• Due to the inability of Senate Democrats to uphold their full FY26 negotiated commitments, Congress was forced to pursue reconciliation to fully fund critical homeland security operations.
• The Secure America Act will provide long-term funding for ICE and Border Patrol and border security enforcement operations through Fiscal Year 2029.

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