U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) voted against a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday, even after indicating last month that he would support such legislation if Secretary Kristi Noem were removed from her post.
The House approved H.R. 7744, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026, by a 221-209 vote on March 5. All but four Democrats opposed the measure, which aims to end a partial DHS shutdown that began Feb. 14.
Moskowitz, representing Florida’s 23rd District, was among the 209 members who voted no. In February, he told Punchbowl News he would back funding if President Trump fired Noem, stating, “I know we asked for 10 points. But if Trump fires Noem, he can have my vote.”
The Trump administration announced Noem’s removal on the same day as the House vote, naming Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin as her replacement, effective March 31. Noem will transition to a new role as Special Envoy for “The Shield of the Americas,” a Western Hemisphere security initiative.
Moskowitz said he opposed the bill because it preserved the “status quo” without needed reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations, including new use-of-force policies sought by Democrats. He expressed hope that Noem’s ouster could open doors for future negotiations on funding and policy changes.
Moskowitz’s Democratic primary challenger, Oliver Larkin, criticized the vote on X, writing, “Moskowitz is already Ron DeSantis’ favorite Democrat, and he’s working hard to be Donald Trump’s too.”
The funding measure remains stalled in the Senate, where Democrats are pushing for ICE and CBP reforms amid the shutdown. Republicans have highlighted national security risks tied to ongoing tensions with Iran.
On the same day, Moskowitz supported a War Powers Resolution to limit U.S. military operations against Iran, citing the scale of recent strikes.
