Tim Sheehy, the Republican candidate in the Montana Senate race, has reportedly told supporters he would support dismantling the Department of Homeland Security if elected to the upper chamber.
Sheehy has told supporters this while on the campaign trail on at least three different occasions, according to audio obtained and reviewed by Axios.
In one instance, the Senate candidate told supporters at an August event in Kalispell, Montana, that the DHS is “anything but homeland security,” according to the outlet. At another event later that month in Glasgow, Sheehy told supporters the DHS could “go away.”
The pledge comes in contrast to other congressional Republicans who have sought to increase funding and support to the agency tasked with security at the southern border.
The report also comes after GOP congressional leaders have lauded the most recent government funding deal that passed Congress last week for its increased funding to the DHS. The provisions in the spending bill included funding for 22,000 border agents, a 25% spending increase for border technology, and a 20% cut in federal funding to nongovernmental organizations that provide transportation and food vouchers to immigrants who are released into the country on asylum claims — all major wins for Republicans.
However, Sheehy is not the first Republican to indicate he is willing to walk away from federal agencies to handle the surge of illegal immigration at the southern border.
A handful of House Republicans have called on Congress to defund the department unless the Biden administration implements stricter border security policies. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) had been a vocal advocate of that proposition last year, repeatedly vowing not to support any spending bill that provided funding to the agency until changes were made.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Other Republicans made similar pledges, with several voting against the final spending bill last week over criticisms it did not contain enough border security measures.
The Washington Examiner contacted Sheehy’s campaign for comment but has not received a response.