Kristi Noem

I'm usually up by four and working out just so that I can handle sitting in meetings all day and doing this much talking.

I like to move around and it keeps me busy.

Most people know I came from a ranching background.

So I spent all my days before I got into politics outside.

So doing this job and being inside a lot is a little bit challenging.

Well, I wish I could do more right now.

My department isn't funded.

You know, it's the Department of Homeland Security that is supposed to be

making sure that these large-scale events across the country are safe.

They're national security events, SEER I events, which means they're the utmost priority in making sure that we keep people safe.

And right now, we're supposed to be putting out contracts to purchase drones and technology to keep each of those matches safe during the World Cup.

We're supposed to be giving out grants to cities so that they can invest in their security to prepare for those matches that are going to be happening, not just in the United States, but also partnering

in ways with Mexico and Canada to make sure travel back and forth can be facilitated for individuals who want to go to matches in Canada, but also the United States and how we work with CBP to get people through those

different airports, and also ports of entry.

So all of that is supposed to be getting done right now, but Congress, the Democrats have not agreed to fund us.

So it's at a standstill.

That's the devastating thing is we have almost 280,000 employees in this department and the law enforcement officers and ICE and CBP, their salaries are funded, but other individuals may be working without pay, but those individuals that are supposed to be filling out contracts and be working on those security measures,

don't have dollars.

They are furloughed home right now and so nothing's happened.

I'm hopeful that soon they will recognize the importance of homeland security and what we need to do to keep people safe every day and give us the funding we need to get this department back to work.