Congressman Andy Biggs voted on Mar. 27 in favor of a continuing resolution that would restore funding to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for sixty days. This marks the fourth time the U.S. House of Representatives has approved such a funding package for DHS.
The decision comes as debate continues over how best to support federal agencies responsible for border and immigration enforcement. According to Biggs, “In the middle of last night, the U.S. Senate cowered to Minority Leader Chuck Schumer by passing a woefully inadequate resolution to restore funding to parts of DHS, which effectively defunded Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This package inexplicably withheld funding for operations combating child and sex trafficking, and it lacked funding for CBP agents and thousands of ICE staff.”
Biggs further said, “While I could take the easy way out and vote to fund most of DHS and hope everything turns out alright, that’s not what I came to Washington, D.C. to do. I will not allow my friends in CBP and ICE to wonder where their future payments might be, while the Members of Congress playing these political games receive theirs. These men and women on the front lines of our border and immigration enforcement deserve much more commitment and backing from their elected representatives.” He added that he voted again in favor of full DHS funding: “That is why I have voted for the fourth time to fund DHS- all of it.” Biggs also noted President Trump’s involvement: “As part of the solution, President Trump has made sure TSA agents will be paid until the Democrats come to their senses and join us in fully funding DHS.” He concluded with a call for action from his colleagues: “The House has done its job. Now, the Senate must return to fulfill its responsibility.”
Andy Biggs is currently serving in Congress representing Arizona’s 5th district after replacing Richard Miranda in 2017 according to Ballotpedia. He previously served in the Arizona Senate from 2013 until joining Congress as reported by Wikipedia.
Biggs was born in Tucson in 1958; he is now 64 years old and lives in Gilbert according to AZCentral. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s degree before earning his law degree at University of Arizona according to his official biography.
The ongoing discussion about federal agency funding reflects broader debates over national security priorities at both congressional chambers.
