Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., told Newsmax on Wednesday that the House vote to end a partial federal government shutdown has only set the stage for another looming confrontation, with funding for the Department of Homeland Security scheduled to expire ahead of Valentine's Day.
The short-term deal signed by President Donald Trump reopened several federal agencies but only funds DHS through Feb. 13, setting up another high-stakes deadline as immigration enforcement remains a central point of contention between Republicans and Democrats.
The House vote reflected a narrow and unusual coalition, with 21 Democrats voting in favor of the measure and 21 Republicans opposing it.
Meuser said on "Wake Up America" that the outcome highlighted what he described as Democratic Party obstruction tied to opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"This time, we had 193 that voted to basically shut down the government is what occurred," said Meuser.
"It's five appropriations bills. Of course, they're holding up DHS."
Meuser accused Democrats of targeting ICE funding while also affecting other security agencies.
"When they're holding up DHS, I mean, clearly they're doing this because they're opposition to ICE," he said. "But as well, at the same time, they're defunding FEMA."
"They're not paying TSA. They're not paying the Border Patrol."
DHS funding has long been a flash point in congressional negotiations, particularly as immigration enforcement and border security remain divisive issues.
The current standoff comes as lawmakers race to prevent another shutdown that would impact law enforcement, disaster response, and aviation security.
Meuser said Democrats are demanding changes to ICE enforcement policies, including restrictions on agents wearing masks during operations.
"The main thing they're asking for is that the ICE agents don't wear masks," he said. "The only reason they're wearing masks is to protect themselves from the mob."
He argued that removing masks would endanger agents and their families, adding that Republicans are seeking penalties for harassment and doxing of ICE officers, along with limits on sanctuary city policies.
"We're also going to say you require cooperation, which means minimizing sanctuary cities," Meuser said.
Republicans are also pushing to attach the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act to DHS funding legislation. The measure would require proof of citizenship and photo identification to register to vote in federal elections.
"You cannot register if you're here illegally. You cannot register to vote," Meuser said.
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, who argue it could suppress voter participation. Meuser rejected that claim, citing public support for voter ID requirements.
"They're lying about what the bill means, that somehow it's going to suppress voting," he said.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the legislation, calling it "a huge commonsense piece of legislation" and saying it would require voters "to present an ID before casting a ballot in a federal election."
With the DHS funding deadline approaching, lawmakers face pressure to reach a deal or risk another lapse in government operations, with immigration policy once again at the center of the fight.
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Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.
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