Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks criticized Democrats' latest effort to force a vote on a "clean" Department of Homeland Security funding bill, telling Newsmax on Tuesday that the move is a political maneuver driven by mounting public backlash over travel disruptions and security concerns.
The Iowa Republican on Newsmax's "National Report" took aim at a proposed discharge petition — a procedural tactic that would allow the minority party to bypass House leadership and bring legislation directly to the floor — arguing it comes only after weeks of pressure tied to the ongoing shutdown.
"Now they want to pretend like they want to fund DHS, and this is only because they're getting pushback," she said.
The proposed legislation would fund DHS operations without provisions related to immigration enforcement, including support for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Republicans have opposed such efforts, arguing that immigration policy and border enforcement are central to the broader funding debate.
Miller-Meeks said the standoff has already had tangible consequences, particularly for the Transportation Security Administration, where employees have faced missed paychecks and declining morale.
"Record numbers of employees that are actually retiring or quitting from TSA," she said, "and this is a direct result of Democrats not funding the government over something that has largely resolved and a problem of their own making.
"So, sanctuary cities, local law enforcement [are] not working with ICE agents or Customs and Border Protection to remove violent criminal illegals from their communities. This was a problem of the Democrats' making."
Airports across the country have reported longer wait times and staffing shortages as some TSA workers leave their posts or call out amid financial strain. The situation, Miller-Meeks argued, reflects broader dysfunction tied to the funding impasse.
Republicans have noted that DHS appropriations bills have already passed the House, placing the focus on the Senate as negotiations continue.
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Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.