WASHINGTON D.C. — In a sharp rebuke from the House floor, Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY-05) has accused House Republicans of manufacturing a crisis by prolonging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. Meeks argued that the GOP is prioritizing “chaos” over the financial security of essential workers and the safety of the American public.
During his address, the Congressman highlighted several critical concerns regarding the current legislative stalemate:
- Federal Workers Without Pay: Meeks emphasized that the shutdown is unfairly targeting individuals who keep the nation’s infrastructure running, specifically mentioning TSA agents and Border Patrol officers who are currently working without a paycheck.
- Demands for Accountability: A central point of the dispute involves the “Big Ugly” bill and the conduct of immigration enforcement. Meeks detailed public concerns over ICE agents operating without proper identification (using masks) and conducting warrantless arrests of American citizens and legal residents.
- The Cost of Inaction: The Congressman stated that while Democrats are ready to provide the funding the American people want, Republicans are using the budget as leverage, effectively “holding the American people hostage” to avoid necessary agency reforms.
“We should be able to pay those individuals who are not getting paid now and stop the chaos at the airports,” Meeks declared, calling for an immediate end to the political maneuvering.
Source: Rep. Meeks on House Republicans Prolonging the DHS Shutdown (Facebook Reel)