The U.S. Department of Homeland Security remains closed due to an ongoing dispute between Democrats and Republicans over immigration enforcement funding.
U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Missouri, says Senate Democrats have left them no choice but to pursue funding through a reconciliation bill – which only requires a 51% majority vote to pass.
“I can’t believe that the Democrats are that obsessed with President Trump and Trump Derangement Syndrome, that they’re holding all these good men and women hostage and all of it, but that’s where we’re at,” Schmitt told Missourinet.
ICE agents are still getting paid, despite the Homeland Security department being shut down. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has already been funded through 2029. After this week, TSA agents working at airports are in jeopardy of going without pay.
“These TSA agents shouldn’t be caught in the crossfire here,” Schmitt said. “They shouldn’t be used as a political weapon by the Democrats. And that’s what they’ve done. And I just think that’s unacceptable.”
Senate Democrats have been pushing for reforms to immigration enforcement as a condition to reopening Homeland Security after ICE agents killed two protesters in Minnesota in January. Schmitt said President Trump wants the reconciliation bill on his desk by June 1.
60-day deadline on Iran war authorization
President Trump has until Friday (May 1) to get congressional approval to continue military strikes against Iran, according to the War Powers Act. But Sen. Schmitt told Missourinet that recent cease fires may have pushed back the clock.
“There’s been a ceasefire now for a couple, few weeks. And so, I don’t think that that’s necessary at this point,” Schmitt said. “There could be a time where it is, but I just don’t think that’s where we’re at given the ceasefire right now.”
President Trump officially informed Congress on March 2nd, two days after the air and naval strikes began, making Friday the end of the 60-day period. The War Powers Act does allow a 30-day extension in cases of “unavoidable military necessity.”
Schmitt on U.S. Attorney General vacancy
It’s been nearly a month since President Trump fired Pam Bondi as U.S. Attorney General. Schmitt told Missourinet he’s not eyeing the vacant Cabinet position.
“It’s humbling to be mentioned in these things, but I’m very happy with the job that I have right now,” he said. “I pinch myself that every day how fortunate I am to represent the state that I love in the U.S. Senate, and so I’m very happy doing what I’m doing right now.”
Before serving in the U.S. Senate, Schmitt served as Missouri’s Attorney General.
Todd Blanche was appointed Acting Attorney General on April 2nd, the same day Bondi was let go. Multiple media outlets report that Blanche is “auditioning” to be nominated for the position full-time.
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