Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., said on Newsmax on Wednesday that Senate Democrats’ monthlong delay in engaging in funding negotiations left lawmakers "stuck," prompting the chamber to recess Friday while Republican leadership pursues a reconciliation bill to fund border enforcement and avert a continued Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
Marshall, a member of the Senate Budget and Finance committees, appeared on Newsmax's "Wake Up America," describing ongoing efforts by Senate Republican leadership, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and the White House to craft the package.
"I think we're stuck. And sometimes you're just so stuck, you have to get away from each other," he said.
"And again, I think that the White House and Speaker [Mike] Johnson and Leader [John] Thune will be working on this reconciliation package and get it into writing. That sounds easy, but it won't be."
The senator highlighted what he called repeated Democrat opposition to funding for the Department of Homeland Security, noting seven votes against it. He said the bill would prioritize resources for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol. Marshall also pointed to the presence of noncitizens in the U.S., underscoring the urgency.
"Right now, we have 50 million noncitizens in this country right now, 50 million. One out of six people you see today are not citizens of this country," he said.
On the decision to leave town during recess, Marshall expressed willingness to stay if progress were possible.
"Well, I'll gladly stay there if there is something to work on. But again, the Democrats took 30 days before they ever even talked to us," he said.
He added that most senators could return within 24 hours if a deal is reached. Marshall said the mistake was expecting Democrats to compromise, describing them as "dug in."
The reconciliation measure could also address election integrity and potential funding related to the war in Iran, according to Marshall. He noted the process of finalizing the package "sounds easy, but it won't be."
The comments come amid the ongoing DHS funding battle, with both chambers in a two-week recess as negotiations continue on Capitol Hill to fully fund the agency.
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Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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