Senate Democrats will not vote to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security until they are directly affected by the partial government shutdown, Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., told Newsmax on Thursday.
Appearing on "Wake Up America," Norman said the ongoing standoff persists because lawmakers on the left have yet to feel the same financial and logistical strain impacting federal workers and everyday Americans.
"It just hasn't affected them yet," Norman said, recounting a conversation with a senator. "They're still getting a paycheck … still able to get on airplanes and go home, visit their families."
Norman argued that Democrats are blocking a "common-sense constitutional bill," the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship and photo identification for voting.
He noted such requirements are already standard for everyday activities like boarding flights or making major purchases.
The South Carolina Republican, who is also running for governor, told co-hosts Marc Lotter and Alison Maloni that he and dozens of House colleagues are prepared to continue opposing Senate-backed legislation until the measure advances.
"I think what it's going to take is more than what's happened now," Norman said. "You're going to have airports that shut down where they can't get their flights."
The congressman placed the blame squarely on Senate Democrats, accusing them of prioritizing political goals over national security.
He argued the refusal to fully fund DHS is tied to efforts to restrict Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from deporting criminal migrants.
"They've sided with the criminals in this case, pure and simple," Norman said. "They don't want ICE to do their job."
Norman also pointed to rising threats against immigration officers, claiming assaults on ICE agents have surged and that some agents have faced harassment and targeting at their homes.
"They have families … they were doxed," he said. "I don't know what it's going to take with them."
The broader shutdown has already begun to ripple across the country, with federal workers missing paychecks and travel disruptions increasing as staffing shortages impact airport security operations.
Norman suggested lawmakers should face consequences similar to those experienced by federal employees if the stalemate continues.
"The right thing to do is to cut their pay off because they're holding this country hostage at a time that is so critical," he said.
Turning to foreign policy, Norman also defended President Donald Trump's approach toward Iran, pushing back on media narratives suggesting weakening support among Republicans.
"The base is with him," Norman said. "The 77 million Americans that voted for this president knew he was going to deliver."
He added that Iran's longstanding hostility toward the United States underscores the need for a firm response, noting the regime has chanted "Death to America" for decades.
As the shutdown drags on, Norman said voters should hold Democrats accountable, warning the stakes extend beyond politics to national security and public safety.
"I hope the public will remember this," he said.
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Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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