Rep. Biggs Questions DHS Secretary Mullin on FY2027 Budget

Rep. Sheri Biggs (R-S.C.) questioned DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Wednesday regarding the department's FY2027 budget request and immigration-enforcement funding.

The hearing highlights a growing rift over how the U.S. government allocates resources for border security and the specific use of contested funds. This friction has led some Republican senators to hold up critical immigration-enforcement funding due to their opposition to the anti-weaponization fund.

During the House Homeland Security Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., Biggs questioned Mullin about the Department of Homeland Security's FY2027 budget authority request of $63 billion ^[1]. The discussion focused on the tension between necessary enforcement operations and the controversial anti-weaponization fund, which became a point of contention in statements made on Tuesday.

Rep. Biggs sought clarity on how the budget would be prioritized to ensure border security while addressing the concerns of lawmakers who view the anti-weaponization fund as an improper use of resources. The dispute has created a legislative bottleneck, as the funding for enforcement remains tied to the resolution of the anti-weaponization fund's status.

Secretary Mullin defended the department's requests during the proceedings. The committee's scrutiny reflects a broader effort by House members to oversee DHS spending and ensure that funding aligns with legislative priorities, specifically regarding the enforcement of immigration laws.

The hearing concluded as part of a series of budget reviews intended to finalize the FY2027 fiscal roadmap for the department.