A Michigan congressman faced sharp questioning from TMZ DC this week when he claimed funding the Department of Homeland Security was "not his job" amid a record-breaking government shutdown.
Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) was confronted by a TMZ reporter while walking near Capitol Hill on Tuesday. The exchange centered on recent warnings from Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin that the agency is rapidly approaching a financial cliff.
"It's not my job to fund DHS," Bergman told the reporter, attempting to deflect responsibility.
The TMZ staffer immediately challenged this assertion, pointing out that Congress holds the constitutional power of the purse and is directly responsible for appropriating funds to federal agencies.
Bergman's comments come as the partial government shutdown enters its 45th day—the longest in U.S. history—leaving approximately 800,000 federal workers without pay and critical security functions under strain.
DHS officials have warned that without congressional action, the department will exhaust its remaining funds within weeks, potentially compromising border security, immigration enforcement, and emergency response capabilities.
The tense exchange highlights growing frustration with congressional inaction as the shutdown's impacts ripple across government services and the broader economy.