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Cole Statement on President Trump Paying All DHS Frontline Personnel Despite Democrat Shutdown
April 3, 2026
Press Release

Washington, D.C. – House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement regarding President Trump’s action to pay all Department of Homeland Security personnel who have missed compensation due to the Democrat-driven shutdown.

Senate Democrats are Breaking All the Wrong Records
March 31, 2026
Press Release
Washington, D.C. – The Democrat-led shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has now surpassed any shutdown in history. Since February, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and his caucus have directed DHS personnel to work without guaranteed paychecks, wreaked havoc at airports across the nation, and purposely limited resources to protect the homeland. And to add insult to injury, as the crisis they created drags on, they’ve headed out of town for a two-week recess.
House Passes Bill to End Democrat Shutdown, Pay All DHS Personnel
March 27, 2026
Press Release
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7147, the Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026. The legislation fully reopens the Department of Homeland Security, pays all personnel, and ensures critical operations are resourced and ready.
Cole Testifies at Rules Committee on House Measure to Reopen DHS
March 27, 2026
Press Release
Washington, D.C. – Today, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) testified before the House Committee on Rules in support of the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7147, the Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026.
Day 41: Rep. Newhouse – Democrats Must Come to the Table to Fund Homeland Security
March 26, 2026
Press Release
Washington, D.C. – As the Democrat-directed shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) marks its 41st day, another troubling milestone is fast approaching: surpassing last year’s historic lapse. With each passing day, the consequences grow more severe – undermining national security and placing an increasing strain on the workforce tasked with keeping Americans safe.
Day 40: Senate Democrats Continue to Abdicate Their Article I Responsibilities
March 25, 2026
Press Release

Washington, D.C. – The Department of Homeland Security has been shut down for 40 days, making it the longest partial government shutdown in history, and nearing the record-breaking 43-day total government shutdown from last fall. 
 
Democrats continue to block funding for DHS over radical demands to impede our border security and immigration removal operations, despite the fact that CBP and ICE are both critical to our national security.

Cole Testifies at Rules Committee on H.R. 8029
March 24, 2026
Press Release
Washington, D.C. – Today, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) spoke before the House Committee on Rules in support of H.R. 8029, the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act.
Pay Our Homeland Defenders: Ciscomani Pushes to End Democrat DHS Shutdown Chaos
March 24, 2026
Press Release

Washington, D.C. – As the Democrat-led shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shatters all the wrong records to become the longest partial government shutdown in history, it is the American people who are paying the price. 

As Schumer Obstructs, House Republicans Again Move to Pay Personnel and Safeguard the Homeland
March 23, 2026
Press Release
Washington, D.C. – As the Democrat-led Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown stretches into its sixth week, Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) is leading a renewed effort in the House to fund critical security operations and pay personnel who are working with no paycheck thanks to Senator Schumer and his continued obstruction of full-year funding for the very agency tasked with protecting the homeland.
Senate Democrat Shutdown Fuels Airport Disruptions, Heightens Security Risks Nationwide
March 19, 2026
Press Release
Washington, D.C. – Thanks to Senate Democrats, the Department of Homeland Security has now been shut down for 34 days. DHS employees missed their first full paycheck last week, and the strain of the shutdown continues to ricochet across American national security efforts. Amid spring break travel, heightened national security concerns, severe storms, and more, keeping DHS shut down puts Americans in harm's way.
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