Kustoff Addresses Historic DHS Shutdown During County Visit

HUNTINGDON (April 3) — U.S. Rep. David Kustoff visited the Carroll County Shooting Sports Park on Good Friday, continuing an annual tradition of meeting with local leaders and discussing federal and regional issues.

Kustoff spoke with county officials and community members during the event, addressing questions on employment, election policy and federal funding.

Responding to a question about jobs, Kustoff said recent employment numbers have exceeded expectations but emphasized the need for skilled workers across trades.

Kustoff also discussed federal election legislation, including requirements for voter identification. He said he supported a measure that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to vote and mandate photo identification in federal elections.

“I think that’s common sense,” Kustoff said, comparing voter ID requirements to identification needed for activities such as air travel or opening a bank account.

He noted challenges in advancing such legislation in the Senate, where most bills require 60 votes to pass, and referenced ongoing discussions about using the budget reconciliation process to move certain measures forward.

Kustoff’s visit landed amid a historic partial government shutdown involving the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The shutdown entered its eighth week April 6, and Congress is in recess from March 30 to April 10.

Kustoff addressed questions about federal funding for the DHS. He said funding legislation has passed the House multiple times but has stalled in the Senate.

“It’s not just ICE, it’s not just Border Patrol,” Kustoff said. “It’s also the Coast Guard. It’s also FEMA. It’s also the United States Secret Service. There are a number of different departments that go under that big umbrella, and they hadn’t been paid.”

He said some federal employees have gone weeks without pay, noting the impact on morale and household finances.

“If you miss one or two or three paychecks, that hurts,” Kustoff said. “Everybody’s got bills.”

The Senate previously approved legislation to reopen and fund most of the DHS during the shutdown, excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and part of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), but House conservatives opposed the Senate legislation.

The House voted late Friday, March 27, to pass a short-term bill to fund the entirety of DHS for 60 days. The bill has yet to be approved by the Senate, who returns from recess April 13.

During the event, State Rep. Tandy Darby (R-Greenfield) thanked Kustoff for his accessibility and responsiveness, citing ongoing communication with the congressman and his staff.

The Good Friday gathering has become a recurring event, paused only during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kustoff thanked the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce for hosting and said he looks forward to returning next year.

At the conclusion of the event, the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce recognized the Leadership Carroll County Class of 2025.