Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., told Newsmax on Friday that lawmakers are returning to Capitol Hill on Monday with hopes of breaking a budget standoff fading as debate intensifies over funding for the Department of Homeland Security and immigration enforcement.
Speaking on "Wake Up America," Stutzman criticized Democrats for tying concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement to a broader Department of Homeland Security funding bill that has stalled as lawmakers struggle to reach a deal.
Stutzman placed responsibility for the impasse squarely on Democrats, arguing they are using a DHS funding bill as leverage to force changes to immigration enforcement policy rather than negotiating a clean agreement.
"You know, it really depends on the Democrats if they want to find a way forward," Stutzman said. "This doesn't even affect ICE. They are just using this particular funding bill, which affects FEMA, TSA, Coast Guard, and other agencies, that's the group of people that they are affecting right now."
He said those agencies "actually do directly work for the American people" and criticized efforts to link their funding to demands targeting ICE.
"And so the fact that they are using this as a leverage point to somehow defund ICE, it's just not going to work," Stutzman said.
Stutzman said Democrats have laid out "ten points that they want to negotiate on," but argued the public supports the immigration enforcement policies of President Donald Trump.
"I think at the end of the day, the American people are appreciating what President Trump has done in keeping America safe, that he has taken care of the border problems," Stutzman said.
He cited comments from former acting ICE Director Tom Homan to support his argument that the agency is operating as intended.
"As we just heard from Tom Homan recently, he said, look, this is back on track," Stutzman said. "ICE is doing exactly what they've done for many decades, and they have actually, under President [Barack] Obama, deported over 3 million illegals out of the United States."
Stutzman said he believes Democrats are prolonging the dispute for political reasons, though he said he hopes Congress can reach an agreement soon.
"This is something I think the Democrats are just using for political purposes," he said. "Hopefully, we find a budget resolution next week."
The debate intensified after Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., renewed calls to abolish ICE and dismantle DHS, arguing the political climate has shifted in favor of more sweeping changes.
Stutzman sharply rejected that position, warning that national security threats remain serious.
"You know, I think she's just absolutely wrong," Stutzman said. "The fact is, the world is just as dangerous today as it was back at 9/11."
He said ICE and other law enforcement agencies require continued backing from Congress.
"They need our support to be sure that we know who is in this country, is supposed to be in this country and who is not," Stutzman said. "And if there's criminal activity, they need to be arrested and processed immediately in order to keep our community safe."
Stutzman also addressed growing speculation that the Chicago Bears could relocate to Indiana after state lawmakers advanced legislation to finance and construct a new stadium near the Illinois border.
"I tell you, I'm excited. I grew up a Bears fan," he said.
He framed the potential move as a reflection of broader political and economic trends.
"I think it just kind of goes to show again where people are moving with their feet when it comes to liberal policies versus conservative policies," Stutzman said. "Indiana is a conservative state. It's a great state to do business."
Stutzman said he would welcome the franchise and believes the move is increasingly plausible.
"We would love to have the Chicago Bears in Indiana, and I hope they come," he said. "It looks like there's a good chance they might."
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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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