Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., accused Democrats of holding the government hostage during a dangerous time as the party refuses to budge in a gridlocked funding battle.
“They are holding all these agencies of government hostage, including TSA, including the cyber office – which runs all of our cyber operations – and here we are living in a dangerous world where we’re worrying about Iranian cyber operations,” he said.
Thune joined “Special Report” on Tuesday to discuss the congressional gridlock caused by Democrats over funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and passage of the SAVE America Act.
Thune’s comments come as airports nationwide face massive disruptions and long wait times with TSA agents not showing up to work because of the partial government shutdown of DHS.
REPUBLICAN SENATORS BLAST DEMOCRATS FOR ‘FEAR-MONGERING’ OVER ELECTION SECURITY SAVE ACT
“There are a whole range of DHS functions that are funded by that appropriations bill that the Democrats are choosing not to open,” he said.
“I don’t know how you can defend a ‘defund law enforcement’… argument which is essentially what they’re making.”
The Senate voted Tuesday to open debate on the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.
THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE ‘TALKING FILIBUSTER’ AND THE SAVE ACT
“This is about safe and secure elections in this country and making sure that we have an election process that is actually with the right people, not just the illegals who are in this country, have an opportunity to vote,” Thune said.
Thune explained to Fox News what the GOP’s objective is with the upcoming debate discussions.
“What we wanted to do is put them on the record, force them to defend a position which we think is indefensible, particularly with where the American people are on this,” he told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier.
SEAN DUFFY URGES DEMOCRATS TO ‘COME TO THEIR SENSES’ AS TSA SQUEEZE CRIPPLES AIRPORT OPERATIONS
The SAVE America Act is part of President Donald Trump’s hallmark legislative agenda. He has threatened to not approve any other bills unless Congress complies with his demands.
Thune said voter identification is “broadly” supported by Americans of all political parties and that Democrats’ maneuvering on the issue could be an opportunity for the GOP to capitalize politically.
“I think that’s a fairly simple position and one that Democrats ought to eventually get on board with,” he told Fox News. “But if they don’t, it’s obviously an issue that we [GOP] will be able to use, I think, in the fall elections. So, it has politics around it.”
GOP leaders will allow for amendments to the SAVE America Act during the debate, with Thune expected to file cloture to end discussions, which would then lead to a final vote requiring 60 votes to advance the bill.
Thune reiterated his commitment to abiding by the president’s legislative demands on voter identification.
“It’s a big priority for the president,” he said. “There are a lot of people across the country who want to see this voted on, and we will guarantee a vote at the end of that, and we’ll see where people stand.”
