The narrative that we must either fund the Department of Homeland Security in its entirety or face a government shutdown is a calculated falsehood. U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett and his colleagues are currently choosing to hold essential agencies like the Coast Guard, TSA, and FEMA hostage to protect a blank check for Kristi Noem, ICE, and CBP.
There is a clear path forward: H.R. 7481. This bill provides a carve-out that fully funds our national security infrastructure while denying one more cent to the lawlessness of Noem, ICE, and CBP until they accept radical reform.
As a nurse, the medical reality of federal enforcement tactics is chilling. We saw the January killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, and we’ve seen federal projectiles put out an eye and shatter the facial bones of students like Kaden Rummler. I know firsthand that a temple shot can be fatal, and chemical irritants — which damn near killed a 6-month-old baby in January — can cause lethal bronchial spasms in children with asthma.
Barrett needs to get on board with H.R. 7481. We must demand an end to Kavanaugh profiling, a total ban on agent masks, mandatory body cameras, and a strict requirement for JUDICIAL WARRANTS.
It is time to fund our essential services while finally reining in the violence. Barrett should stop the political theater and support the carve-out.
Peggy Van Sickle
Brighton
