Sen. Bernie Moreno from Ohio took a strong stand against his Democratic colleagues during a recent confirmation hearing focused on the ongoing implications of the partial government shutdown. His remarks were pointed as he described their behavior as “disgusting” and “disgraceful,” particularly in light of the impact on nearly 260,000 employees of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Moreno used the platform of Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s hearing to highlight the plight of these employees, including those at the Transportation Security Administration. “260,000 American citizen families who have not received a paycheck in over a month,” he declared. Crucially, he underscored that the employees affected are not the policymakers behind the shutdown. “None of those people are in charge of policy,” he remarked. His frustration aimed at fellow lawmakers who continue receiving their salaries, as he noted, “There isn’t a single human being on this dais that has missed a paycheck.”
This emphasis on the human impact of political decisions set an emotional tone in the room. Moreno conveyed the real-world consequences of legislative inaction, stating, “They’re having to tell their kids they can’t send them to dance recital because they did everything right in life except got a job with the Department of Homeland Security.” This comment illustrates the distress families face due to the dysfunction in Congress.
Moreno did not hesitate to call out specific individuals, notably Sen. Gary Peters, the ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee. He accused Peters of failing to uphold promises about funding crucial agencies. As Moreno pressed the point, he highlighted the disrespect exhibited by Peters when he seemed disengaged during Moreno’s critique. “You said you’re going to fund all these agencies,” he asserted, “Here’s one that you haven’t funded.”
In a visual display of frustration, Moreno presented a large poster board detailing how the government shutdown has endangered DHS operations. He specifically noted the plight of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), explaining, “That is how I became a US citizen.” His personal connection to the mission of USCIS made his argument more compelling. “We’ve defunded the agency that allows legal immigrants into this country,” he exclaimed, “That is insane.”
Moreno further critiqued the defunding of key organizations such as Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He posed a hypothetical question to Democrats regarding their stance on funding ICE: “Are you suggesting that we not fund an organization that tracks transnational organizations?” His rhetorical questions aimed at challenging the opposition, pushing them to explicitly state their position on the funding and effectiveness of these agencies in combating serious crime.
Moreno’s comments reflect a broader sentiment expressed by others in the GOP, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Thune described the situation as Democrats holding DHS agencies “hostage” in negotiations over appropriations. This idea resonates with growing frustration among many lawmakers as they navigate the complexities of government funding amidst political standoffs.
Ultimately, Moreno’s performance during the Senate hearing shone a light on the real victims of the government shutdown—the families of DHS employees living in financial uncertainty. By articulating their struggles and defending the importance of fully funding immigration and border security agencies, Moreno positioned himself not just as a politician, but as an advocate for the American workers affected by the political gridlock.
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