Rep. Sykes Slams Republicans’ Incompetence After Weeks of DHS Shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. — After more than a month of a partial government shutdown, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) voted against two Republican-led measures on the Department of Homeland Security, calling them unserious and long overdue.
“The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. So, when Republicans bring a so-called solution to end the DHS shutdown forward, without commonsense reforms for ICE, that is insane,” said Rep. Sykes. “ICE needs judicial warrants, body cameras, limits on excessive force, and transparency in its enforcement operations. These measures protect both public safety and civil liberties, and they should be non-negotiable. I support legislation to fund Homeland Security without giving more money to ICE that has killed American citizens without remorse. Republicans need to get serious and meet the American people where they actually are.”
Rep. Sykes said Republicans are still pushing half-measures instead of doing their job and passing a real funding bill. She emphasized that DHS workers and their families deserve certainty—not political games.
She pointed to her bipartisan Pay Our Military Act as a real solution. This legislation would guarantee pay and support for service members, civilian Department of Defense personnel, Coast Guard members, reservists, and contractors during a shutdown. More than 40,000 veterans live in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, and more than 6,000 active-duty service members across Ohio would benefit.
Rep. Sykes renewed her call for House Republicans to negotiate in good faith, advance commonsense ICE reforms, and pass a full funding bill that actually ends the shutdown.
You can find more information about which federal services and programs are impacted by the shutdown on Rep. Sykes’ shutdown FAQ page at sykes.house.gov.