Democrats’ Push for Illegal Alien Protections Threatens American Emergency Response as Shutdown Deadline Approaches

Rep. John Rose, R-Tenn., warned Monday that Democrats are deliberately pushing the nation toward a government shutdown by prioritizing illegal immigrants over Americans facing critical domestic crises.

Rose made the remarks during an appearance on “Wake Up America Early” with host Alex Kraemer, citing the looming shutdown deadline and uncertainty over whether House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., could secure sufficient votes to keep federal agencies operational.

“I think this underscores how risky it is that the Democrats have yet again taken us into a government shutdown,” Rose said. “Last fall, they did it for 43 days — the so-called Schumer shutdown — to fight for free healthcare for illegal aliens. Now, they’re trying to protect criminal illegal aliens from being deported.”

Rose accused Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., of refusing to assist Republicans in averting a shutdown as the GOP’s slim majority continues to shrink. “Their actions could leave Republicans needing every single vote to pass a short-term funding bill,” he added.

The congressman highlighted impacts on disaster relief and essential services, noting that programs like FEMA have been put on hold while Democrats push for illegal aliens’ protections. “Thousands of Tennesseans in my district are without electric power following a severe ice storm,” Rose said. “They need federal assistance, but Democrats are putting those things at question.”

Rose also criticized a reported White House deal to temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks as a setup for another shutdown and accused Democrats of deliberately weakening border enforcement after allowing “literally millions of illegals” into the country under former President Joe Biden.

Additionally, he condemned progressive leaders in so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, stating: “It’s very disappointing to see the Democratic Party obstructing the enforcement of federal law, all for their liberal, woke political agenda.”

As the shutdown deadline approaches, Rose expressed hope that cooler heads would prevail but warned Democrats appear unwilling to change course.