Rep. Hernández Questions DHS Secretary Mullin on Budget

Rep. Pablo José Hernández (D-P.R.) questioned DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin Wednesday regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s budget and immigration-enforcement funding.

The exchange highlights growing tension over how the U.S. government prioritizes border security and immigration resources amid shifting political alliances in the Senate.

During the House Committee on Homeland Security hearing at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Hernández focused on the allocation of funds for immigration enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security has requested a budget of $118 billion ^[1] for the upcoming fiscal year.

Lawmakers said critical immigration-enforcement funding is currently being delayed by Republican senators. This friction follows the abandonment of a Trump-era anti-weaponization fund, a move that has complicated the passage of the broader budget.

Hernández used the hearing to seek clarity on how these funding delays affect operational capabilities at the border. Secretary Mullin said the inquiries were part of a two-day testimony before the committee.

The budget request of $118 billion ^[1] represents the financial blueprint for the department's upcoming operations, including customs, border protection, and disaster response. However, the inability to reach a consensus on specific funding pots continues to stall the legislative process.

Committee members said the lack of a finalized budget creates uncertainty for agency leadership. The debate reflects a broader struggle within the legislature to balance enforcement priorities with fiscal constraints.