House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has called on House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to take immediate action and bring the lower chamber back from recess to reopen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The partial government shutdown, now in its fifth week, has caused severe disruptions and concerns for the safety and security of our nation.
In a statement released on Sunday, Jeffries emphasized the urgency of the situation and urged Speaker Johnson to prioritize the well-being of the American people over political games. He stated, “It’s time for the House to get back to work and address the pressing issue of reopening the Department of Homeland Security. The safety and security of our nation cannot be held hostage any longer.”
The government shutdown, which began on December 22, 2018, has left thousands of DHS employees furloughed or working without pay. This has caused disruptions in vital services such as airport security, border protection, and disaster relief efforts. With each passing day, the impact of the shutdown becomes more severe and puts our nation at risk.
One of the major reasons for the impasse is the debate over funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Democrats have been pushing for significant reforms to ICE’s operations, including increased oversight and accountability, while Republicans have been reluctant to make any changes.
However, Jeffries believes that this issue can be resolved through bipartisan efforts and urged Speaker Johnson to bring the House back into session to find a solution. He stated, “This is not a time for partisan bickering. We need to come together, put aside our differences, and find a solution that will reopen the DHS and provide much-needed relief to the American people.”
The call for the House to return from recess comes as the Senate is set to vote on two competing bills to reopen the government. One bill, proposed by Republicans, includes President Trump’s demand for $5.7 billion in funding for a wall along the southern border. The other, proposed by Democrats, does not include any funding for the wall but would fund the DHS through February 8, allowing time for further negotiations.
Jeffries has made it clear that Democrats are not willing to compromise on their stance against funding for the wall. However, he believes that there is room for negotiation and that the House should be actively working towards finding a solution.
The House Minority Leader’s call to action has been met with support from other Democratic leaders. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) echoed Jeffries’ sentiments, stating, “The House should be in session this week to reopen the government and address the critical issue of border security.”
As the shutdown continues, the effects are being felt by millions of Americans. Government workers are struggling to make ends meet, small businesses are losing out on revenue, and essential services are being disrupted. It is time for our elected leaders to put aside their differences and work towards reopening the government.
In his statement, Jeffries also highlighted the need for the House to take up other pressing issues, such as disaster relief for areas affected by recent natural disasters and passing legislation to protect Dreamers. He emphasized that the House cannot afford to be in recess while these important matters remain unresolved.
It is time for Speaker Johnson and the House leadership to listen to the voices of the American people and take action to end this prolonged government shutdown. The safety and security of our nation should always be the top priority, and it is the responsibility of our elected leaders to work towards finding a resolution. The House must return from recess and get back to work for the sake of the American people.
