There is "no excuse" for Congress not to reach a funding agreement before key Homeland Security operations run out of money, Rep. Ralph Norman told Newsmax on Thursday.
However, the South Carolina Republican said on Newsmax's "Wake Up America Early" that he is "cautiously optimistic" that a solution will be reached.
"It's just going to take negotiations, which have been ongoing these last ten days, and we've got until the end of this month to come up with a solution, and hopefully, we will," he said. "But I'm cautiously optimistic."
Lawmakers face mounting pressure as the Department of Homeland Security approaches a funding deadline, including for Transportation Security Administration workers and border enforcement operations.
"To have the TSA unfunded, to have our security at our border unfunded, to have ICE agents unfunded, there's no excuse for it," Norman said.
Still, he added, "the blame game is going to have to end."
"We've got to pass something, and it's up to the Senate and the House to get together," said Norman.
"But everything is a fight," he added. "Everything is a challenge."
However, Democrats have "chosen this route" to shut down part of the government.
"In the middle of a war, you would think they would come to their senses," said Norman. "But we're going to handle it on our end, and I think sooner rather than later."
The comments come as President Donald Trump has set a June 1 deadline to sign a funding bill, while lawmakers also face questions over executive authority and military action abroad.
Meanwhile, Norman said the situation remains fluid regarding the deadline for operations in Iran, and said Congress may not act on a war powers resolution before the 60-day deadline.
Senate Republicans voted largely in unison Wednesday to defeat another Democrat-sponsored war powers resolution that would have kept Trump from continuing military operations against Iran.
Norman described Iran as weakened but still aggressive, pointing to disruptions in global shipping lanes.
"They don't have the cards, but they're still basically declaring war and holding up, taking ships over in the Straits of Hormuz," he said. "I think this president is making the right moves, and I think it has taken a little bit longer."
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