Missouri Congressman Eric Burlison Criticizes Senate Republicans Over Funding Bill, Pushes Smart Space Act

JOPLIN, Mo. — U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) expressed sharp frustration with Senate Republican leadership Friday morning during his regular appearance on KZRG’s Morning Newswatch, saying a recent funding bill that excludes ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents represents “absolute failure” and “failure theater.”

Burlison said that the Senate should not have left for Easter break without securing full funding for immigration enforcement. He criticized Senate Majority Leader John Thune for what he described as a “fake and phony filibuster” and weak Republican strategy, arguing that Democrats would have folded if Republicans had held firm and refused to leave town.

“In my opinion,” Burlison continued, “If I had been in the Senate, I would have said, ‘no, we're not leaving here until we get this fixed, until we get this done.’ And the Democrats will be the first ones to fold. They're the ones that love going on trips. They love going on codells. They love going out. All their fundraisers would be shut down. All of their nice fancy trips and meals would be shut down. That's what they should have been doing.”

The congressman suggested that funding for ICE and border security could eventually be addressed through a reconciliation bill, and he indicated that making TSA funding mandatory spending might also be considered in future legislation to avoid similar disruptions during government funding disputes.

Burlison highlighted his Smart Space Act, a bipartisan measure designed to reduce federal waste by allowing the government to sell underutilized or empty federal buildings and lease back only the space it actually needs through public-private partnerships. He noted that federal buildings are often only about 30 percent occupied, and that private owners maintain properties far more efficiently than the government.

“We spend a ton of money on the upkeep for these ancient old buildings that we own,” Burlison said. “And the federal government's not very good at doing that. So what has been proven to work is public private partnerships, where you basically work with a real estate expert. Sometimes they'll say the best way to save money is to sell the building to a private sector company and then the government can lease space and lease what it needs.”

Burlison said the bill passed unanimously in the House and expressed confidence it will move quickly through the Senate, possibly via unanimous consent. Proceeds from any building sales would go into the general revenue fund, he confirmed.

The congressman also promoted the upcoming Jasper County Lincoln Day Dinner, scheduled for Saturday evening in Joplin. He praised the event as one of the best in the state and encouraged attendees to come hear speeches from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, and others.

Burlison will be among several prominent Missouri Republicans attending the dinner at which local residents can meet elected officials and discuss current issues.