Rep. Brad Knott, R-N.C., said Thursday he was “relieved for the workers” at the Department of Homeland Security after the House passed legislation to reopen the agency, ending a record 75-day shutdown that left thousands of federal security employees in limbo.
“I’m relieved for the workers and the Department of Homeland Security,” Knott stated. “I’m relieved for civil servants like TSA officers, Coast Guard personnel, and those who work at CISA, who keep our country safe.”
The House vote restores funding to DHS and resolves uncertainty over whether employees would receive pay in May.
The shutdown had disrupted operations across multiple components of the department, with some workers furloughed and others required to work without pay.
Knott, a freshman lawmaker, criticized Democrats for the prolonged standoff, accusing them of leveraging DHS funding negotiations to push immigration-related priorities. “They were the pawns that the Democrats were using their political capital for to basically defund the police,” Knott said. “That’s what all of this came down to: They want to shut down the entire department to prohibit any immigration enforcement.”
Democrats have stated their approach centered on setting funding priorities and oversight measures related to border and immigration policy, rather than eliminating enforcement funding.
Knott also defended House Republican leadership, crediting Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., with pushing multiple funding measures through a narrowly divided chamber. “I stand behind the speaker,” Knott said. “He was relentless. We sent over funding despite a one-vote margin. I think it was six or seven times to the Senate. We got creative and we got the bill passed.”
The measure’s approval ends the longest shutdown in DHS history, which raised concerns among lawmakers and national security officials about the strain on critical operations. Airport security screening, maritime patrols, and cybersecurity monitoring were among the functions affected during the funding lapse.
Despite welcoming the resolution, Knott warned that the extended impasse could set a troubling precedent for future budget battles. “Long term, the precedent is unbelievably discouraging,” he said. “That the Democrats would disrupt government operations for 75 days… But I’m thankful it’s over.”
The reopening restores full funding to DHS, though disagreements over federal spending and immigration policy remain unresolved as lawmakers look ahead to future negotiations.
