Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., told Newsmax Republicans are likely to pursue alternative legislative strategies to secure full funding for the Department of Homeland Security, arguing that a Senate proposal on the issue is unlikely to advance in its current form.
Speaking on Newsmax's "Wake Up America" on Wednesday, Fry described the Senate measure as "a nonstarter, at least initially," and blamed Democrats for what he characterized as a breakdown in bipartisan cooperation on homeland security funding.
"This is a core function of government," Fry said, referring to border security and related operations.
"This should not be controversial, but it is, unfortunately, in this heightened, hyper-partisan status that we have in Congress."
Fry suggested that Republicans may turn to the budget reconciliation process as a way to move forward. That approach, which allows certain fiscal legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority, could be used to fund Homeland Security and Border Patrol operations without Democrat support.
"For us, I think the next step is a reconciliation bill that funds Homeland Security, that funds Border Patrol operations," Fry said.
He added that lawmakers could later revisit the Senate bill and modify it as needed.
"Then you could take the Senate product and amend it, alter it, tweak it, whatever you need to do," he said.
Fry argued that Democrats had previously negotiated the proposal but changed their position once the legislation reached the Senate floor.
"Democrats negotiated this before it even hit the floor," he said. "It was only when it hit the floor that they moved the goalpost, and they continue to move the goalposts today."
The South Carolina Republican also framed the issue as a response to voter priorities, particularly on immigration enforcement.
He said voters in the most recent election cycle signaled support for stronger border security measures, including deportations.
"They're not serious about what the voters said back in November, which is we want border security in our country," Fry said.
The debate over Homeland Security funding comes amid ongoing disagreements in Congress over immigration policy, border enforcement, and federal spending.
While Republicans have pushed for increased resources for border security, Democrats have emphasized a broader approach that includes humanitarian considerations and immigration system reforms.
Fry said Republicans are now exploring "creative" ways to advance their priorities in the absence of bipartisan agreement.
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Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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