Murphy, Underwood Demand Answers from DHS on Executive Actions and Funding Decisions

WASHINGTON—U.S Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.),Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, andU.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.),Acting Ranking Member of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Thursday sent aletterto U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem raising concerns about the implementation and funding of recent Executive Actions affecting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Murphy and Underwood emphasize the consequences of prioritizing civil immigration enforcement over national security threats and call for transparency on DHS’s compliance with existing laws, funding decisions, and policy changes.
Full text of the letter is availableHEREand below:
Dear Secretary Noem,
The recent Executive Actions direct significant changes across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with potentially grave implications for the DHS mission, its employees, American communities, and for the resources provided by Congress in prior fiscal years (FY). Given the consequences of prioritizing civil immigration enforcement over the prevention of future attacks against the United States, we have several questions relating to the execution and implementation of the identified subject areas below. We request the information and responses by March 5, unless otherwise indicated.
Specifically, we ask for:
Please specify whether DHS, or any component, plan to make any changes from direction provided in the FY 2024 enacted appropriations bill (P.L. 118-47, Division C) and the accompanying Joint Explanatory Statement regarding the purpose(s) for funding provided, including any level(s) specified, such as hiring levels, detention beds, etc. during the period of the continuing resolution.
In conclusion, as we move forward in the 119th Congress we trust that the transparency, communication, and commitment to work with our Committees will continue as it has in prior Administrations. We look forward to your response and your response to our joint letter to you from February 14th that is past our requested deadline.
Sincerely,
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