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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, we’re on day 40 of Democrats’ shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

“Day 40.

“And that’s on top of Democrats’ record-breaking, 43-day full-government shutdown in the fall.

“Altogether, thanks to Senate Democrats, a lot of DHS employees have been working without pay for more than 80 days so far this fiscal year.

“Mr. President, that’s shameful.

“It’s no wonder TSA agents are quitting in droves.

“Anyone would be, if they’d been working without pay for almost 50 percent of the fiscal year so far.

“My Democrat colleagues, of course, are working with pay, having rejected a Republican proposal to stop senators’ pay while DHS is shut down.

“But I am hoping that Democrats can at least envision what it’s like for stressed-out Homeland Security workers wondering if they’ll be able to pay their rent.

“And I hope they’ll recognize that this situation cannot continue.

“Homeland Security workers are hurting.

“Travelers are beyond fed up with the disastrous situation at U.S. airports.

“And we cannot continue to keep this critical department unfunded.

“Democrats have a proposal before them with legislative text – the latest serious offer from Republicans to get this department back up and running.

“Democrats have repeatedly said that they want to pay TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, and employees who defend America from cyberattacks.

“This bill would do it.

“I hope Democrats will work with us to finalize an agreement and reopen the Department of Homeland Security this week.”