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Sunday, March 22, 2026

Category: Politics
March 20, 2026
Data
Politics
War

Trump Rating Hits All-Time Low With FRIENDLY Pollster as War Opposition Amongst 2024 Trump Voters Doubles.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 42 percent, the lowest of his presidency, according to a new poll.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and 1,037 registered voters surveyed by JL Partners.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Poll conducted online from March 18 to March 20, 2026, amid the ongoing Iran war.

🎯IMPACT: Rising inflation, gas prices, and opposition to the Iran war are driving disapproval, with 54 percent of voters saying the economy is worsening.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump‘s approval rating has dropped to 42 percent, according to a new poll from Trump-friendly JL Partners. This marks the lowest approval rating of his presidency, down from 44 percent earlier this month and 48 percent in January. The poll surveyed 1,037 registered voters online from March 18 to March 20, with a margin of error of plus or minus three percent.

According to the survey, the Iran war and inflation fears are key reasons for the decline. Twenty-eight percent of respondents disapproved of Trump’s handling of the Middle East, up from 20 percent earlier this month. Meanwhile, 44 percent blamed him for rising inflation, an increase from 38 percent at the start of March. Gas prices have risen to $3.90 per gallon nationally, compared to $2.90 before U.S. strikes began on February 28.

Support for the Iran war has also waned. Initially, 40 percent of voters supported military action, but that figure has now dropped to 33 percent, with 49 percent opposing the conflict. Among Trump voters, support for the war has decreased from 75 percent to 61 percent, while opposition has risen to 22 percent. Thirteen U.S. troops have been killed and over 200 injured since the U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran started.

Economic sentiment has also worsened, with 54 percent of voters saying the economy is deteriorating, up from 44 percent last month. Only 16 percent believe the economy is improving, a significant drop from 30 percent in February. The poll also revealed that only 19 percent of voters would tolerate a $1 increase in gas prices to secure a military victory, while just seven percent would accept up to 10,000 American fatalities in the conflict.

Vice President J.D. Vance, however, has not seen his approval rating affected by the Iran war. His approval remains steady at 47 percent, five points higher than Trump’s. Notably, independents, who are crucial for Republican success in the 2026 midterm elections, oppose the war by a two-to-one margin, with 50 percent against and 24 percent in favor. Democrats are overwhelmingly opposed, with 76 percent disapproving of the decision to strike Iran.

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March 20, 2026
Jack Montgomery
News
Politics

Paxton TROUNCES Cornyn in New Texas Runoff Poll.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A new poll indicates Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has a strong lead in the Republican U.S. Senate runoff against Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), and is better placed to defeat Democrat nominee James Talarico.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ken Paxton, John Cornyn, and James Talarico.

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 20, 2026, in Texas.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Likely Republican primary voters strongly prefer Paxton over Cornyn.” – Impact Research poll memo

🎯IMPACT: If he prevails over Cornyn in the primary, Paxton’s strong base appeal could drive Republican turnout in a closely contested general election.

IN FULL

A new poll of likely voters in Texas for the 2026 election cycle indicates that state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX) is positioned strongly in the Republican U.S. Senate runoff against incumbent Republican-in-name-only (RINO) Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). The poll also suggests that Paxton is better placed to defeat controversial Democrat nominee James Talarico in the general election.

The survey gives Talarico a 43 percent to 41 percent lead over Cornyn, and a narrower 44 percent to 43 percent lead over Paxton. Notably, Paxton holds a significant advantage among likely Republican primary voters, leading Cornyn by 53 percent to 37 percent in direct preferences. His strong appeal within the GOP base is further demonstrated by his net favorability rating of +33 among Republican primary voters, compared to Cornyn’s net negative 45 percent favorable / 47 percent unfavorable rating. Paxton’s favorability is also superior to Cornyn’s among independents, at net -32 compared to Cornyn’s -42.

This clear preference among core Republican voters positions Paxton to more effectively rally the party’s energized conservative wing, which could prove crucial for high turnout and momentum heading into the general election against Talarico.

Paxton has a strong track record as an America First conservative and supporter of President Donald J. Trump. Meanwhile, Cornyn has a long history of backstabbing the President, from opposing his border wall proposals in 2015 to opposing his primary campaign in 2024.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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March 19, 2026
Politics

TSA Agents Resort to Selling Blood Amid Democrat Shutdown.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are donating blood for cash to cover expenses during a partial government shutdown.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: TSA agents, Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl, and Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK).

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 2026, across the United States at major airports.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Our people are hurting. We have individuals sleeping in their cars.” – Adam Stahl

🎯IMPACT: Long security lines, missed flights, and financial struggles for TSA workers, with some airports at risk of closure.

IN FULL

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents have begun selling blood for cash as the Democrat-led partial government shutdown leaves them without pay. The shutdown, which began on February 14, is due to Senate Democrats repeatedly blocking funding measures for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in protest of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) ongoing operations to enforce federal immigration statutes.

Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl revealed that some workers are “drawing blood to afford to pay for gas to get to work.” This marks the second time TSA agents have gone unpaid due to a shutdown, with many already missing a full paycheck. Stahl described the dire circumstances, stating, “Our people are hurting. We have individuals sleeping in their cars.” Though it remains unclear which blood products agents are donating for compensation, plasma donations typically offer cash payments, unlike whole blood donations. As the shutdown stretches beyond one month, increasing numbers of TSA agents are calling out of work, exacerbating long security lines at airports.

Major airports such as John F. Kennedy International in New York and Newark International in New Jersey have reported wait times up to 43 and 36 minutes, respectively. Spring Break travelers at destinations like Orlando and Honolulu are also encountering long delays, with some lines exceeding 45 minutes. At Atlanta‘s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the world’s busiest, roughly 36 percent of TSA workers failed to show up, resulting in hour-long waits for passengers.

Union leaders have highlighted the financial hardships faced by TSA employees. Aaron Baker, president of a union representing Georgia’s TSA workers, stated, “Many are coping with eviction notices, vehicle repossessions, empty refrigerators, and overdrawn bank accounts.” He added, “Every available financial option has been exhausted,” during a press conference outside Hartsfield-Jackson. Hundreds of agents have already quit, leaving only 50,000 TSA workers nationwide.

The crisis has prompted Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), President Donald J. Trump’s nominee to be the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, to urge Congress to resolve the funding impasse. “We have to get DHS funded,” Mullin said during his confirmation hearing.

Image by Michael Ball.

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March 18, 2026
Politics

Senator Pushes Taxpayer Spending Transparency as Part of Anti-Somali Fraud Drive.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced the COST Act, a bill requiring detailed proof of federal tax dollar usage by entities receiving federal funding.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sen. Joni Ernst, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Somali-run social services fraud schemes in Minnesota.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced during Sunshine Week, which runs from March 15-21.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If you can’t find waste in Washington, there can only be one reason—you didn’t look.” – Sen. Joni Ernst

🎯IMPACT: The bill aims to expose fraudulent spending and increase transparency in federal fund usage.

IN FULL

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) has introduced the COST (Cost Openness and Spending Transparency) Act, a measure designed to require every government agency to list all projects funded by taxpayer dollars. The bill seeks to bring transparency to federally funded social services programs, it states, as well as combat fraud and waste, such as the alleged fraudulent activities in Minneapolis’s Somali-run daycares.

The legislation coincides with the White House’s announcement of a joint state-and-federal anti-fraud task force led by Vice President J.D. Vance. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the initiative as a “whole of government effort to fight fraud at the state and federal level.”

“As I always say, if you can’t find waste in Washington, there can only be one reason—you didn’t look,” Ernst said after introducing her legislation. She added that transparency is essential to holding Washington accountable and preventing wasteful spending.

Under the COST Act, entities receiving federal funds would be required to publicly report details, including the percentage of costs covered by taxpayer dollars, the total dollar amount, and any privately financed portions. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), led by Director Russell Vought, would oversee compliance by reviewing random samples and publicly reporting findings.

Image by Ron Cogswell.

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March 17, 2026
Politics

House Oversight Subpoenas AG Bondi in Epstein Mismanagement Probe.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The House Oversight Committee issued a subpoena to Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chairman James Comer (R-KY), and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Bondi is scheduled to appear for a deposition on April 14, with a private briefing for committee members on Wednesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Committee has questions regarding the Department of Justice’s handling of the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and his associates and its compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act,” wrote Chairman James Comer.

🎯IMPACT: Last May, the Attorney General denied allegations leveled by Rep. Comer that some of the federal government’s Epstein files had been deleted or destroyed.

IN FULL

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi will testify before the House Oversight Committee on April 14, on “possible mismanagement of the federal government’s investigation of Mr. Jeffrey Epstein and Ms. Ghislaine Maxwell.” Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) issued a subpoena, compelling Bondi’s appearance, on Tuesday, despite both the Attorney General and her deputy, Todd Blanche, being scheduled to provide committee members with a private briefing on Wednesday.

“The Committee has questions regarding the Department of Justice’s handling of the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and his associates and its compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act,” the committee’s letter to Bondi states, continuing, “As Attorney General, you are directly responsible for overseeing the Department’s collection, review, and determinations regarding the release of files pursuant to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and the Committee therefore believes that you possess valuable insight into these efforts.”

While both are Republicans, Comer and Bondi have had a strained relationship in public. The National Pulse reported last May that the Attorney General denied allegations leveled by Rep. Comer that some of the federal government’s Epstein files had been deleted or destroyed. Notably, Chairman Comer has shown a degree of impatience with the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) pace in releasing the Epstein materials and its apparent lack of candor at times.

Earlier this month, the Oversight Committee voted along bipartisan lines to issue the subpoena. Late last week, the committee issued an interview request with Tova Noel, one of the prison guards on duty at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York (MCC New York), on the night convicted pedophile and financier Jeffrey Epstein allegedly committed suicide. Noel is slated to speak with the committee on March 26.

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March 17, 2026
News
Politics

Jim Banks Invests Millions to Challenge Senators Opposing GOP Redistricting.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) is deploying $3 million to oppose seven Indiana state senators who voted against a redistricting bill.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Senator Jim Banks and Indiana state senators, including Travis Holdman, James Buck, Spencer Deery, Greg Goode, and Greg Walker.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Current efforts in Indiana, following the recent redistricting vote.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Hoosiers deserve a more conservative state Senate.” – Jim Banks

🎯IMPACT: The move aims to strengthen Republican influence in the Indiana House by targeting senators who opposed the redistricting bill.

IN FULL

Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) is intensifying a political clash within Indiana by directing $3 million from his 501(c)(4), Hoosier Leadership for America, toward efforts to unseat members of his own party. The move targets seven Republican state senators who opposed a proposed redistricting plan that could have secured the GOP two additional U.S. House seats.

Those singled out include Travis Holdman, James Buck, Spencer Deery, Greg Goode, and Greg Walker. Their votes against the measure derailed a Trump-backed push to redraw district lines, exposing deep divisions within the Indiana Republican Party. “Hoosiers deserve a more conservative state Senate,” Banks said.

The redistricting effort, backed by President Donald J. Trump and which gained traction in late 2025, ultimately failed in the state senate despite pressure from national conservatives. Some Indiana Republicans were hesitant to revisit district boundaries, and reports suggested party leaders effectively abandoned the initiative after internal disagreements stalled progress.

Banks is now challenging what he sees as an unresponsive party establishment. Senator Todd Young (R-IN), Governor Mike Braun (R-IN), and former Governor Mitch Daniels (R-IN) have all faced criticism from conservatives frustrated by the outcome. The dispute has also drawn attention from President Trump, who criticized Young’s political circle, including consultant Cam Savage, for opposing the effort. Trump also expressed disappointment in Braun, saying, “I got that guy elected, and he couldn’t deliver redistricting.”

Redistricting, the redrawing of electoral district boundaries, remains a powerful political tool, often shaping party control in Congress. While Indiana Republicans have struggled to advance their preferred map, Democrats have been more successful elsewhere. In Virginia, party leaders are pursuing a plan that could yield a 10–1 Democratic advantage in the state’s congressional delegation. Additionally, Democrats secured a favorable ruling at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this year, strengthening their position in ongoing redistricting battles.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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March 17, 2026
Politics

AIPAC Appears to be Funding Multiple Sides of a Key Democratic Primary Taking Place TONIGHT.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Democratic House primary in Illinois is seeing tensions over an ad from a super PAC with ties to AIPAC.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Candidates Bushra Amiwala, Kat Abughazaleh, Daniel Biss, and Laura Fine, along with the Chicago Progressive Partnership, a super PAC linked to AIPAC.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The primary is taking place in the Ninth Congressional District of Illinois, with the election set for Tuesday.

🎯IMPACT: The super PAC appears to be attempting to split progressive votes, a move in tacit support of either Daniel Biss or Laura Fine.

IN FULL

A Democratic primary in Illinois has become a battleground over Israel, with accusations that a super PAC linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is attempting to divide progressive candidates through an ad campaign. The ad supports Bushra Amiwala, calling her the “real deal” and declaring that she is fighting for “real economic justice.” However, the television spot has been condemned by Amiwala, as it was paid for by a super PAC called the Chicago Progressive Partnership.

While little is publicly available regarding the super PAC, campaign filings show it shares numerous vendors in common with AIPAC and affiliated groups. This past weekend, Amiwala said that she “absolutely could not be more disgusted” by the Chicago Progressive Partnership campaign ad backing her candidacy.

What appears to be at play, is cynical—but perhaps effective—attempt to split the progressive vote in Illinois’s 9th Congressional District, an open seat following Representative Jan Schakowsky‘s (D-IL) retirement. The actual goal of the Chicago Progressive Partnership appears to be to deprive Kat Abughazaleh—a Palestinian-American and former Media Matters staffer—of at least a fraction of progressive votes in the primary.

In effect, by splitting more radical progressive voters between Amiwala and Abughazaleh, the super PAC would actually be aiding a third progressive candidate, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, along with another contender, State Senator Laura Fine. Biss is a grandson of Holocaust survivors and far less militant against Israel compared to the to the other progressive candidates, while Fine is a vocal supporter of Israel. It is notable that another AIPAC-tied group, Elect Chicago Women, has spent significantly in support of Fine in the primary race.

The strategy in Illinois is a marked shift AIPAC’s activities in a New Jersey special election earlier this year. The pro-Israel group blundered in attacking the more moderate Democrat candidate for being insufficiently supportive of the Jewish State, which ended up suppressing the vote to the point that Analilia Mejia—a pro-Palestinian and radical progressive—eked out a 1,100 vote victory.

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March 16, 2026
Politics

Dems Want CRIMINAL CHARGES For Ousted Kristi Noem. Here’s Why…

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Congressional Democrats have requested criminal charges against outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, alleging she lied to Congress during recent hearings.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kristi Noem, President Donald J. Trump, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The accusations stem from testimony given earlier this month during oversight hearings in Congress.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Any claim that Secretary Noem committed perjury is categorically FALSE.” – DHS spokesman

🎯IMPACT: The allegations are unlikely to lead to criminal charges in the near term, though the statute of limitations for perjury extends for five years.

IN FULL

Congressional Democrats are pursuing criminal charges against outgoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, accusing her of making false statements during recent testimony. The allegations are detailed in a letter sent to the Department of Justice (DOJ) by Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), who claim Noem violated statutes prohibiting perjury and knowingly providing false statements to Congress.

“A number of her statements appear to violate criminal statutes prohibiting perjury and knowingly making false statements to Congress,” the Congressional Democrat letter states. It adds, “After months of evading our Committees’ requests to testify in routine oversight hearings, Secretary Noem made a series of demonstrably false statements in a brazen attempt to undermine critical congressional oversight of the Department of Homeland Security.”

The Democrat lawmakers allege that Noem’s testimony included misleading answers on topics such as DHS compliance with court orders, the role of Corey Lewandowski in DHS contracts, immigration enforcement practices, and the bidding process for a $220 million advertising campaign. During the hearings, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) questioned Noem about the ad campaign, which heavily featured her and allegedly lacked a competitive bidding process. Noem insisted the contracts were competitively bid and approved by career officials, but Kennedy and others have expressed skepticism.

The advertising campaign’s ties to former DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin and her husband, Benjamin Yoho, have also drawn scrutiny. Kennedy stated during a hearing earlier this month, “It’s something we have to defend. I’m on the Appropriations Committee. I mean, my research shows that you did not bid them out.”

Democrats argue that Noem’s testimony misrepresented facts, with Durbin and Raskin writing, “Even if Secretary Noem was the one telling the truth about the President’s knowledge, and she may well have been, she flatly misrepresented that the contract had been subject to a competitive bid.” The Trump administration has defended Noem, with a DHS spokesman calling the perjury claims “categorically FALSE.”

Noem’s removal from her position as DHS Secretary as of March 31 was recently announced by President Donald J. Trump. She has been reassigned to serve as a special envoy to the Shield of the Americas. Trump has nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to replace her, with confirmation hearings expected soon.

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March 12, 2026
Election Integrity
Politics

Thune Will Let Dems Kill Trump-Backed SAVE America Act Next Week.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) announced plans to bring the SAVE America Act, a voter ID bill, to the Senate floor next week, despite knowing that it will be killed without a talking filibuster.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: John Thune, President Donald J. Trump, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), and other Republican leaders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 12, 2026, in Washington D.C., with a Senate vote set for next week.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I can’t guarantee an outcome on this legislation, but I can guarantee that we are going to put Democrats on the record.” – John Thune

🎯IMPACT: With Thune unwilling to scrap the filibuster or attempt to pass the bill using a talking filibuster, it is extremely unlikely to pass.

IN FULL

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) announced on Thursday that the SAVE America (SAVE) Act, a voter ID bill backed by President Donald J. Trump, will be brought to the Senate floor next week. The legislation requires proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo ID to cast a ballot.

While Thune claims he supports the legislation, which Trump and the MAGA movement strongly support, he has rejected calls to change the Senate filibuster rule to ensure its passage, citing potential unintended consequences, and is unwilling to attempt to pass it using a talking filibuster, meaning it is almost guaranteed to fail. Speaking from the Senate floor, Thune stated, “I can’t guarantee an outcome on this legislation, but I can guarantee that we are going to put Democrats on the record.”

The House advanced the SAVE America Act last month on a mostly party-line vote, with Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) being the sole Democrat to support it. Democrats and voting rights activists argue the bill could disenfranchise millions, while Republicans point to polling that shows voter ID measures and barring noncitizens from voting are overwhelmingly popular among the public, including Democrat voters.

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), who introduced the bill, and other proponents have pushed for a return to a “standing filibuster” to allow for its passage with a simple majority. Meanwhile, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) has suggested attaching the legislation to a must-pass bill, such as the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

President Trump has pushed election reforms hard ahead of the 2026 midterms, calling for voter ID requirements and threatening to veto other bills until the SAVE America Act is passed. “It must be done immediately. It supersedes everything else. MUST GO TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE,” Trump declared in a Truth Social post on Sunday.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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March 12, 2026
NatSec
Politics

Democrats Block DHS Funding Despite Airport Delays, Rising Iranian Threat.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Senate Republicans accused Democrats of attempting to dismantle the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by blocking efforts to reopen the agency amid a partial government shutdown.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Ongoing debate in the U.S. Senate during a 27-day partial government shutdown.

💬KEY QUOTE: “And that’s at a time when our homeland is under attack, all warning lights are flashing red, and they want to peel apart, piece by piece, the Department of Homeland Security,” said Sen. John Barrasso.

🎯IMPACT: The stalemate has left DHS unfunded, impacting agencies like TSA and FEMA, while exposing divisions over immigration enforcement and ICE funding.

IN FULL

Senate Democrats have blocked another test vote on Thursday, pushed by Republicans attempting to end the ongoing 27-day partial government shutdown impacting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Republican leaders contend that Democrat lawmakers refuse to negotiate in good faith and are only interested in abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a subagency under DHS.

During the debate period on the Senate floor, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and his Democrat colleagues proposed piecemeal bills to fund portions of DHS, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), but demanded the adoption of provisions that would effectively cripple ICE and federal immigration enforcement in return. “We don’t have to tie that disagreement up and use people at the airports and American citizens as hostages,” Schumer stated.

The legislative stunt drew a sharp rebuke from Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY), who accused Democrats of attempting to dismantle DHS while the country faces potential threats from Iranian terrorist cells. “And that’s at a time when our homeland is under attack, all warning lights are flashing red, and they want to peel apart, piece by piece, the Department of Homeland Security,” Barrasso said. Meanwhile, Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) argued that the Democrat proposals would return Congress to the “defund the police” era, drawing a sharp red line against the carveout options.

Despite Democrat claims that Senate Republicans are the cause of the funding lapse, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) noted that his caucus has repeatedly attempted to fund the agency temporarily through short-term continuing resolutions, which Democrats blocked. Concerningly, the deadlock has left DHS unfunded, impacting agencies such as TSA, where security agents are working without pay.

Image via Senate Democrats.

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