Statement from Congresswoman Beatty on Yesterday’s DHS Funding Vote

March 6, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement regarding yesterday’s vote to advance funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS): “I emphatically voted NO to funding for the Department of Homeland Security.” “My stance and the position of House Democrats has been clear: we will not vote to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement as it continues to terrorize our communities. Any funding should come with substantial reforms. I am disappointed that my Republican colleagues have chosen to support this legislation, without committing to these changes.” “While the bill did pass the House, the fight is not over. The events over the past couple of months have made it abundantly clear: there are critical, comprehensive reforms that must take place in the agency. The devastating deaths of two Minnesotans earlier this year, Alex Pretti and Renée Good, shocked our nation; revealing the brokenness of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as an entity that claims to keep our communities safe.” “In my home district of Columbus, ‘Operation Buckeye’ racially targeted innocent individuals – many of whom had never been arrested or charged with a crime. One report even found that on December 17, 2025, ICE agents allegedly detained two U.S. citizens and a Mexican immigrant with a valid work permit, including a woman with an 8-month old child, and all three of these individuals did not have a criminal record.” “Across the nation, DHS has detained children, the disabled, the elderly, and countless innocent people. These racially motivated attacks don’t make our communities safer – they create fear and hostility.” “I remain committed to our immigrant communities in Columbus, and I will continue to push for much-needed reform within ICE, to protect our communities and keep hardworking Americans safe.” ### Issues : Budget Immigration Local Issues Working Families and Children