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As the Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee, I rise today in strong support for the Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Later today we will vote on this bill for the second time in two months. It shouldn't be necessary. The Committee negotiated a full-year bill on a bicameral and bipartisan basis. Our bill includes reforms like funding for body-worn cameras and de-escalation training, but the Senate Democrats continue to insist on radical proposals which would prevent the enforcement of immigration law. So, it's disappointing that we must cajole our Democratic colleagues to support this bipartisan bill once again, but here we are.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I consume. Once again, we are here on the House floor amidst a government shutdown. The bill before us isn't new – in fact, we debated this very same bill just two months ago. It reflects the bipartisan, bicameral agreement that Senate Democrats – at the last minute – failed to honor. Shutting down the Department of Homeland Security over a partisan fight hasn't changed the stakes. But maybe, knowing how critical it is to keep the homeland safe at this heightened moment, Democrats will side with reason and protecting the nation. No matter the question, shutdowns are never the answer.