February 9, 2026
This week, Congress voted to keep the government open by passing a short-term Continuing Resolution, or “CR,” to give lawmakers more time to finish negotiations over funding for the Department of Homeland Security ahead of the February 13 deadline. While this prevented an ongoing shutdown, it’s also a reminder of how broken the process has become. Governing by crisis and deadline is no way to run the federal government, and holding funding hostage puts unnecessary stress on the very agencies that keep our country safe.
DHS is about far more than immigration enforcement. It is the agency that runs FEMA and disaster response when communities are hit by storms and floods. It coordinates counterterrorism efforts, protects our critical infrastructure from cyber threats, manages TSA operations that keep air travel secure, and provides funding that supports state and local law enforcement. These are essential missions that affect Americans every single day.
The White House and House Republicans have come to the table in good faith, willing to consider reasonable reforms and find common ground. But some of the demands coming from the other side go too far and risk undermining public safety and the men and women on the front lines. For years, the Left has pushed for open borders and defunding immigration enforcement agencies, and now they are using the tensions in Minnesota to try to ram through their extreme agenda. That approach doesn’t solve problems—it makes them worse.
We need law and order, common sense, and a commitment to keeping our country secure. Every administration, Republican and Democrat alike, has enforced immigration laws and carried out deportations as part of that responsibility. President Obama alone deported more than $3 million illegal immigrants. Every American should consider these facts and reject the chaos being sown by professional agitators looking to sow chaos and division. This shouldn’t be a partisan issue—and it never used to be–it should be about protecting our communities and making sure the federal government has the resources it needs to do its job.
We have five days to reach a responsible agreement. I’m hopeful that cooler heads will prevail and that we can have a fact-focused discussion that keeps the government fully funded, supports our law enforcement officers, and ensures the safety and security of the American people.
Sincerely,
Rep. Nicholas A. Langworthy signature image
Rep. Nicholas A. Langworthy
Member of Congress
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