Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Mark Amodei issued a statement after an oversight hearing on the possible effects of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. The hearing addressed concerns about how a potential shutdown could impact various DHS functions beyond immigration enforcement.
Chairman Amodei said, “Under the leadership of Chuck Schumer, progressive Democrats are now demanding that Congress weaken interior immigration enforcement or risk shutting down the entire Department of Homeland Security.”
He continued, “If you think that’s acceptable because you oppose ICE or Border Patrol operations, it’s worth remembering that DHS funds far more than immigration enforcement. Threatening to shut it down puts core national security functions at risk.
“The Coast Guard, which carries out critical maritime search-and-rescue missions, would be sidelined. FEMA’s emergency preparedness and disaster recovery efforts would be delayed and disrupted, even as states across the country are still dealing with historic winter weather. At a time of heightened global tensions, DHS cybersecurity and communications capabilities would shift from proactive to reactive defense. During the last shutdown, Americans saw firsthand what happens when TSA operations are disrupted: longer wait times, widespread flight cancellations, and unnecessary chaos. Some lawmakers are apparently willing to see that happen again.
“None of these consequences have anything to do with immigration enforcement.
“While I’ve previously said ICE needs to refocus on its core mission, that pivot is already underway. Under Tom Homan’s leadership, tensions in Minnesota were successfully deescalated through engagement with local officials, leading to the conclusion of surge operations in the state and the deployment of body cameras for personnel remaining on the ground.
“It’s also important to note that ICE still has resources funded in the One Big Beautiful Bill if the third shutdown in less than 100 days takes place. At the same time, a continuing resolution does little to resolve the issue, as it keeps funding at FY25 levels, which are actually higher than what’s proposed for FY26.
“Policy disagreements are not the responsibility of the appropriations process; rather, they should be taken up with the authorizing committees. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to reflect on the lessons of the longest government shutdown in history, which proved it accomplishes nothing.”
Mark Amodei has represented Nevada’s 2nd district in Congress since 2011 after replacing Dean Heller. Before his congressional service, he was part of both chambers of Nevada’s legislature from 1997 through 2011. Born in Carson City in 1958 and currently residing there at age 64, Amodei graduated from University of Nevada, Reno in 1980 and earned his law degree from University of the Pacific in 1983.
The full hearing can be viewed online.
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