Chair warns Iran poses threat, criticizes Democrats over homeland security funding

The chair of the committee opened the session by saying the "Iranian regime is not a partner for peace," arguing that Tehran "won't hesitate to kill our troops, our diplomats, or our citizens" and warning it is "racing to develop a nuclear weapon capable of killing thousands more." The speaker framed those statements as factual and pressing national-security concerns.

The chair praised former President Trump's approach, saying "Peace through strength isn't a slogan. It's the strategy that has kept America safe for generations," and added that Mr. Trump "reminded the world that The United States Of America will not be pushed around."

Turning to domestic security and spending, the chair accused Democrats in Washington of "playing politics with our security" and said "nearly every single Democrat voted against fully funding America's homeland security." He said that Democrats were "refusing to fully fund men and women who protect our homeland, our coastguards, our TSA agents," calling that position "absolutely shameful."

The chair also cited border-processing figures, saying "more than 380 people on the terrorist watch list crossed over to our borders" and that "around a 100 of them were released back into the interior of our United States." He presented those numbers as facts, stating, "That's not speculation. That's not politics. Those are the facts." The session transcript does not record any immediate challenge or data source cited in response to those figures.

On military matters, the chair referenced "thousands of brave Americans standing watch against Iran's threats" and said six service members "have paid the ultimate price" while supporting "the troops supporting Operation Epic Fury." He closed by saying the committee and Republicans stand with those service members and their mission and then yielded to the chairman of the intelligence committee, "Mister Crawford." The transcript does not record subsequent discussion or a vote on any specific proposal during the excerpt provided.