U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said on Apr. 23 that Senate Republicans have advanced a budget resolution aimed at fully funding U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, seeking to end what he called Democrats’ historic, 69-day partial government shutdown of Department of Homeland Security funding.
The move comes after weeks of stalled negotiations in Congress over border security and agency funding, with significant impacts on the operations of key immigration enforcement bodies.
“Democrats’ senseless efforts to obstruct immigration enforcement have put our nation at risk and left the Department of Homeland Security shuttered for 69 days and counting. Despite Republicans’ repeated attempts to negotiate, Senate Democrats voted to block Homeland Security funding 16 times. It’s clear that Democrats care more about keeping illegal immigrants in the United States than protecting American citizens from potential terrorists and violent criminals. Democrats want to drag our nation back to the Biden years of open borders, high crime and defunding the police. Republicans won’t let that happen,” Grassley said.
He added, “By passing this budget resolution, the Senate has taken a significant step towards ending Democrats’ dangerous, partisan shutdown. Congressional Republicans will fund ICE and CBP, ensuring these agencies have necessary resources to defend our border, deport violent criminals and safeguard American families for years to come. The Senate Judiciary Committee will play a large role in getting this funding across the finish line.”
Grassley brings decades of legislative experience as he served in the Iowa state legislature from 1958 to 1974 according to the official website. He also held positions as a sheet metal shearer and assembly line worker before entering politics according to his official biography.
In addition to his political work, Grassley is one of only two farmers currently serving in the Senate; he actively raises corn and soybeans in Butler County, Iowa according to his official website. He earned degrees in political science from the University of Northern Iowa according to his official biography, has been married since 1954 with five children as reported by his office, and assists Iowans with matters involving federal agencies or whistleblowers according to his office.
As Congress continues its deliberations on homeland security funding, observers will be watching closely for further developments regarding support for federal immigration enforcement agencies.
