(WHTM) \u2014 Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent called shutting down the federal government \u201ca fool\u2019s errand\u201d as lawmakers in Washington struck a deal to pass most of a spending package but kick Department of Homeland Security funding down the road.<\/p>\n
Dent, a former Midstate congressman, made the comment Thursday while appearing on NewsNation\u2019s \u201cOn Balance with Leland Vittert<\/a>.\u201d A Republican, he said Immigration and Customs Enforcement needs reform and that recent incidents hurt trust in law enforcement. But he said Democrats shouldn\u2019t defund DHS, which oversees the agency.<\/p>\n Close<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Watch for us in your inbox.<\/p>\n Subscribe Now<\/p>\n \u201cDefunding the Homeland Security Department would mean we would be defunding FEMA while people are out of power through much of the country<\/a> right now,\u201d Dent said. \u201cIt would mean defunding the Coast Guard. It would mean defunding the Transportation Security Agency. That\u2019s ridiculous.\u201d<\/p>\n Democrats threatened a partial government shutdown unless the Trump administration agreed to reform its immigration crackdown. An agreement on Thursday would split DHS funding from the House\u2019s spending package. In its place, the Senate would move forward a stopgap measure to fund the department at current levels through Feb. 13.<\/p>\n The House would need to approve the Senate\u2019s change, but the chamber is not expected to return until Monday, creating a momentary lapse in funding.<\/p>\n