Congressman Wittman Releases Statement on Voting to Fund the Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 7744, the Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2026, legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and end the ongoing shutdown.

“Keeping the Department of Homeland Security shut down during a time of heightened threats would have posed serious risks for the safety of our communities. DHS is responsible for protecting our borders, supporting law enforcement, and keeping Americans safe — and employees of those agencies should never have to face missing their paychecks.

This issue is especially real for Virginians. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the suspect charged in the tragic killing of a Fredericksburg mother at a Fairfax County bus stop last month had been arrested more than 30 times and had an outstanding order of removal from the United States. Cases like this show exactly why federal agencies must have the resources and coordination needed to prevent dangerous individuals from slipping through the cracks and harming our communities.

Government shutdowns weaken our national security, disrupt critical operations, and place unnecessary hardship on the men and women who serve on the front lines of protecting our country. I’m proud to have voted in favor of the passage of the Homeland Security Appropriations Act to provide the American people with the certainty they deserve.”