[Editor’s note: The following is an open letter from John Deaton, a Republican candidate for United States Senate in Massachusetts, regarding the ongoing standoff in Congress over funding for the Department of Homeland Security.]

Open Letter to the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation

To the Honorable Members of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation:

I write to you today with urgency and deep concern regarding your refusal to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). At a time when our nation faces a rising threat of domestic attacks and increased risk to the American people, it is imperative that Congress act decisively and without delay to fund our domestic security fully.

Whether one agrees or disagrees with the decision to strike Iran, we should all agree on protecting American lives. Regardless of the reason, Americans are at risk. Please do not allow partisan politics to interfere with protecting those Americans.

The current lapse in funding places our national security at unnecessary risk. Of particular concern is the impact on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Thousands of TSA employees — tasked with safeguarding our aviation system — are working without pay. This not only undermines morale but also jeopardizes the safety and efficiency of air travel across the United States. The consequences of inaction are too severe to ignore.

National security must never be held hostage to partisan disagreement. I respectfully urge each of you to set aside political differences and act immediately to enact full funding for DHS. The safety of the American people depends on your willingness to prioritize country over party.

At the same time, we must confront a broader, long-standing challenge that has remained unsolved throughout your time in office: our broken immigration system. Upon my election to the United States Senate, I commit to working collaboratively with each member of our congressional delegation — Republicans and Democrats, as Americans first — to develop and enact sensible, bipartisan immigration reform. We must fix the “front door” of our system by establishing clear, lawful, and efficient pathways for entry, while also closing the “back door” by securing our borders and enforcing the rule of law with fairness and consistency.

Massachusetts has long been a leader in principled governance and pragmatic problem-solving. Now is the time to again demonstrate those values on the national stage. I stand ready as a United States Senator to advance functionality, security, and integrity in both our homeland security framework and our immigration system.

Please act now before it is too late. The American people are counting on you. The citizens of Massachusetts expect and deserve nothing less.

Respectfully,
John Deaton
Republican Candidate for United States Senate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts