Congressman Cole Criticizes Democrats Over Homeland Security Funding Holdup

House Appropriations Chairman says Democrats are filibustering the DHS bill.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Fourth District Congressman and House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole has criticized Democrats for filibustering the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, causing a delay in approving the agency's budget.

Why it matters

The delay in approving DHS funding could impact the agency's ability to carry out its critical national security responsibilities, potentially putting public safety at risk. The partisan dispute over the bill highlights the ongoing political tensions in Congress.

The details

Cole, a Republican, has accused Democrats of filibustering the DHS funding bill, preventing it from moving forward in the legislative process. The congressman claims the Democrats' actions are delaying the approval of the agency's budget, which could hamper DHS operations.

  • The DHS funding bill has been stalled in Congress since mid-February 2026.

The players

Tom Cole

A Republican Congressman representing Oklahoma's Fourth District and the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Democrats

The political party that currently holds a slim majority in the U.S. Senate and is being accused by Congressman Cole of filibustering the DHS funding bill.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The House and Senate will need to reach a compromise on the DHS funding bill in order to avoid a potential government shutdown.

The takeaway

The partisan dispute over DHS funding highlights the ongoing political gridlock in Congress, which could have serious implications for national security if the impasse is not resolved.