Floor SpeechNeutral2026-04-29

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

ImmigrationEnvironment

Context

On 2026-04-29, Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) delivered a floor speech titled "DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY" in the Senate. The speech addressed immigration and also covered the environment. It referenced legislation including S2095, S2096.

Full Text

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2095-S2096] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Mr. SCHUMER. Now, Mr. President, on DHS--a lot is happening today-- last night, Donald Trump confirmed what I have been saying for weeks: Speaker Johnson and House Republicans are holding up funding for the Department of Homeland Security. They are holding it up--the Republicans, not Democrats. The White House said it, in effect. The White House put out a memo urging House Republicans to stop dithering and pass the DHS bill that every Democrat and every Republican in the Senate passed unanimously not once but twice. For weeks, Republicans have tried to pin the blame for their shutdown on Democrats. The Trump administration just exposed how preposterous that lie is. [[Page S2096]] Republican dysfunction is endangering our national security. House Republicans have been so busy fighting one another in the House that FISA may expire. Republicans, get your act together. Our national security depends on it. While Democrats have been trying to fund the Secret Service, the TSA, the Coast Guard, CISA, FEMA, and other crucial Agencies, Republicans have been trying to jam through as much as another $140 billion for Trump's rogue Agencies. And while Democrats have been working diligently and assiduously to try and lower Americans' costs, Republicans want to splurge on a $400 million gold-plated ballroom for the President. The last thing Americans want us spending their tax dollars on is a gilded palace for Donald Trump. What will Trump ask Americans to pay for next--a moat? What else could $400 million get Americans? A year of childcare for 30,000 families; skills for training 50,000 new electricians, plumbers, and welders; disaster loans for 10,000 households; and so much more. Keep in mind that, just 1 month ago today, Donald Trump said: There's not one dime of government money going into the ballroom. Then put your money where your mouth is, President Trump. Stop trying to waste Americans' hard-earned tax dollars on this extravagance, and get your party to work with Democrats to keep the American people safe. ____________________

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2095-S2096] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Mr. SCHUMER. Now, Mr. President, on DHS--a lot is happening today-- last night, Donald Trump confirmed what I have been saying for weeks: Speaker Johnson and House Republicans are holding up funding for the Department of Homeland Security. They are holding it up--the Republicans, not Democrats. The White House said it, in effect. The White House put out a memo urging House Republicans to stop dithering and pass the DHS bill that every Democrat and every Republican in the Senate passed unanimously not once but twice. For weeks, Republicans have tried to pin the blame for their shutdown on Democrats. The Trump administration just exposed how preposterous that lie is. [[Page S2096]] Republican dysfunction is endangering our national security. House Republicans have been so busy fighting one another in the House that FISA may expire. Republicans, get your act together. Our national security depends on it. While Democrats have been trying to fund the Secret Service, the TSA, the Coast Guard, CISA, FEMA, and other crucial Agencies, Republicans have been trying to jam through as much as another $140 billion for Trump's rogue Agencies. And while Democrats have been working diligently and assiduously to try and lower Americans' costs, Republicans want to splurge on a $400 million gold-plated ballroom for the President. The last thing Americans want us spending their tax dollars on is a gilded palace for Donald Trump. What will Trump ask Americans to pay for next--a moat? What else could $400 million get Americans? A year of childcare for 30,000 families; skills for training 50,000 new electricians, plumbers, and welders; disaster loans for 10,000 households; and so much more. Keep in mind that, just 1 month ago today, Donald Trump said: There's not one dime of government money going into the ballroom. Then put your money where your mouth is, President Trump. Stop trying to waste Americans' hard-earned tax dollars on this extravagance, and get your party to work with Democrats to keep the American people safe. ____________________