U.S. Senator John Cornyn criticized Senate Democrats on Mar. 25 for what he described as ongoing obstruction that has kept the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unfunded and shut down, leading President Trump to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports nationwide.
Cornyn said the shutdown is affecting essential operations at DHS, including those of ICE and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), with TSA workers continuing to work without pay. He also said the lack of funding has left law enforcement agencies hamstrung in their ability to prevent issues such as human trafficking.
“It is beyond shameful that Senate Democrats have continued to keep the Department of Homeland Security unfunded and shutdown,” Cornyn said during his remarks on the Senate floor. He added, “President Trump, left with no other alternative, has asked ICE to assist and help out at the airports, and some Democrats are getting downright hysterical.” Cornyn addressed concerns raised by some lawmakers about public safety: “Some have even [been] saying that the traveling American public is in danger when these professional law enforcement officers are working to help assist people to move through these security checkpoints at our airports.” He countered by stating, “The truth is, as we’ve seen in videos and social media, ICE agents are handing out water bottles to travelers and helping keep the flow of traffic organized and hopefully expedited.”
Cornyn holds ranking member roles on subcommittees for taxation, immigration, and intellectual property according to his official website. His office also assists Texans with federal agency matters including veterans benefits and Social Security claims according to his official website. Drawing from experience as a former judge and state official, he works on advancing Texas priorities according to his official website.
Cornyn serves on several key committees: Finance; Judiciary; Select Committee on Intelligence according to his official website. He leads as a U.S. senator after previously serving as Texas attorney general according to his official website, building a career that includes roles as district judge, Texas Supreme Court justice, attorney general, and state senator according to his official website.
Looking ahead amid negotiations over DHS funding legislation in Congress, Cornyn concluded: “I’m hopeful that we are moving closer to a deal which will help these good men and women that work at the Department of Homeland Security [receive] a paycheck. President Trump knows how to make a deal… unless the Democrats continue to move the goalpost… These antics are not a way to govern.”
