Press Releases

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today issued the following statement on his votes in the U.S. House against both pieces of the FY26 appropriations “minibus,” including the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act:

“The Department of Homeland Security under Donald Trump and Kristi Noem is a lawless, corrupt organization that is bringing violence and mayhem to peaceful American communities. ICE, CBP, and other DHS entities are pursuing a mission to sow division and fear that is inflicting unimaginable cruelty on law-abiding immigrants and even U.S. citizens, sadly exemplified by the murder of Renee Good. They are engaging in deeply unlawful conduct, including breaking into homes without proper warrants, refusing to comply with court rulings, and blocking Congress from conducting meaningful oversight. DHS is fundamentally broken and completely out of control, and I certainly will not vote to fund their systematic violations of the Constitution.

“The other appropriations bills contained in the minibus have good elements, particularly in the provisions funding health research and aviation safety. But the Trump Administration is already threatening to withhold appropriated funding from numerous states Trump lost in 2024, including Virginia, after this legislation passes. I cannot support a funding deal that is premised on bad faith and punishing Virginians for exercising their right to vote. The absence of clear language barring further federal purges will also put my constituents’ jobs at risk. This bill will, I fear, lead to renewed illegal and unconstitutional acts by Trump and Russ Vought that do extensive harm to Virginia.

“I also cannot support passing a defense funding bill without sufficient guardrails under a president who is making overt threats to invade numerous countries and who is increasingly untethered from our national interests and security. The massive cuts of billions from the IRS further imperil our nation’s fiscal outlook, while making life even easier for wealthy tax cheats. And after promising a vote on restoring funding for the Corporation For Public Broadcasting, which hundreds of constituents contacted me to support, Republicans simply refused to honor their agreement. The bad elements in this bill outweigh the good ones, and that is why I voted no.”