Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said Sunday that a shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner should push moderate Democrats to support Republican efforts to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Speaking in a televised interview on Fox News, Johnson argued that the Saturday night incident underscores the need to strengthen funding for key federal security agencies, including the Secret Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Customs and Border Protection.

The shooting occurred outside the Washington Hilton, where a gunman opened fire near the event space, prompting the evacuation of President Donald Trump and other senior officials attending the dinner.

Johnson said the event highlights broader national security concerns and called for an immediate Senate vote on a House-backed funding measure for DHS. He urged at least seven Senate Democrats to join Republicans in supporting the legislation, framing it as a matter of public safety rather than partisan politics.

“Let’s find areas of agreement and make this country safer,” Johnson said, adding that national security should transcend political divisions. He specifically pointed to Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., as a Democrat he believes could support the measure, while challenging other moderates to follow.

Johnson also criticized Democratic lawmakers for prolonged budget disputes, accusing them of blocking funding while pushing for changes to immigration enforcement policy. He said those delays leave federal agencies under-resourced at a time of heightened threat.

In addition, the senator raised the possibility of eliminating the Senate filibuster if Democrats continue to resist DHS funding legislation, suggesting Republicans may pursue alternative paths to pass security-related measures with a simple majority.

The shooting has renewed scrutiny of security arrangements at high-profile political events in Washington. Republicans, including Johnson, argue the incident underscores the urgency of ensuring full funding for agencies responsible for protecting government officials and securing national events.