Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., told Newsmax that the partial funding block on the Department of Homeland Security by congressional Democrats is their way of prepping for the November midterm elections.
Britt told Ed Henry on "The Big Take" on Wednesday that "this is about posturing for November and not about actually doing what we're supposed to for the people who sent us here."
The senator said Democrats have turned their backs on the nation.
"In addition to keeping Americans safe, which is the first order of business, we have countless numbers of Americans who have taken an oath to the mission to keep our borders secure, to keep our interior safe, and to make sure that America is safe and prosperous through the Department of Homeland Security."
Many of those government employees, said Britt, aren’t being paid as a result of the DHS funding dispute.
"And they're now beginning to go without paychecks," she said.
"You heard me highlight some of it there, where we had the deputy administrator saying that TSA members were having to sell plasma in order to make ends meet," said Britt.
The senator then offered another reference to a congressional hearing where the issue was discussed.
"We heard the secretary respond to me by saying that one man was having to borrow money for his wife's cancer treatment," Britt continued.
In light of the potential security threats to the U.S. in the wake of the military strikes on Iran, Britt said America needs full attention to interior security.
"I'm stunned that the war hasn't forced cooler heads to prevail and to get these folks their paychecks at TSA and everywhere else."
She said Democratic lawmakers simply won’t budge on the critical national safety issue.
"I think it's really important for people to understand that Democrats have not even been coming to the table with regards to having conversations about what a pathway forward looks like.
"We have exchanged papers back and forth about what that looks like, but so far nothing of substance has happened," she said.
"They have the pen, but yet have not sat down with their colleagues and [asked], How do we work this out? What does that tell you?"
Britt said this is a challenging time for security issues across the country. "And look, now is the time to act," she said. "We know that there is a threat to our interior."
She accused the administration and former Democratic President Joe Biden of allowing terrorists to infiltrate the country, and said the Department of Homeland Security needs to be fully funded to prevent attacks.
"We have known terrorists throughout our country," said Britt, "and we know that they want us in harm's way."
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Jim Mishler ✉
Jim Mishler, a seasoned reporter, anchor and news director, has decades of experience covering crime, politics and environmental issues.
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