In the grand political theater that is Washington, the script is almost predictable. Here we are, watching the Democrats and Republicans spar over the government shutdown while important matters like national security hang in the balance. On one side, Democrats appear to be sitting on their hands, as Indiana Congresswoman Erin Hchin points out, leaving critical aspects of homeland security unfunded. The Democrats seem to have forgotten that without ICE and the Department of Homeland Security being fully operational, even our beloved freedom to fly without too much delay hangs by a thread.

Now enters the plot twist: Democratic Congresswoman Ro Khanna from the left coast, California, chimes in with a bold, perhaps Hollywood-esque call for President Trump to end the war in Iran. The idea being, apparently, that this act will magically mend our insecurity woes and get America back on its feet. Meanwhile, the actual issue of domestic threats stemming from an allegedly porous southern border is left to fester. It’s a classic case of wagging the finger in the wrong direction while ignoring the very real issues that congressional duty demands they address, like funding Homeland Security agencies that ensure our safety at airports.

Congresswoman Hchin pulls no punches in her rebuttal. She knows well and good that the real threat is not just from international conflict but from the lax immigration policies that have let individuals on the terror watch list slip into the country. Her stance is clear—defunding ICE, as the Democrats suggest, would leave our borders more porous than a cheap coffee filter. Let’s not forget the irony of wanting more airport security and funding for TSA while simultaneously putting up hurdles to fund the agencies that make this security possible.

Switching tracks to an issue simmering under the hood for many American families, Congresswoman Hchin cites gambling addiction—a personal crusade of hers. Her enthusiasm for the bipartisan gambling addiction reform bill known as the Points Act is palpable. This issue hits close to home, as it once held her own family in its grip. With stories like hers echoing across the nation, it’s clear that the accessibility of gambling seems to grow faster than a political scandal. As betting apps proliferate at the touch of a button, Congresswoman Hchin aims to use existing tax revenue wisely for treatment programs that many Americans desperately need.

With a team-up as unexpected as bipartisan support, Hchin and Oregon’s Andrea Salenus aim for Capitol Hill’s stamp of approval on their legislation. This reform bill, collecting supporters with the speed of lightning, promises to allocate funds not by slapping on new taxes but through the savvy use of excise tax revenue. These funds would reach rural and tribal communities, veterans, and, disturbingly, the increasing number of youth falling victim to gambling’s lure. Hopefully, with this effort, they will effectively address a growing national problem while revving up the government to catch up on other priorities.

Here’s hoping the funding for DHS sees the light of day soon. In the political game of poker currently unfolding in Washington, a few more shuffled decks and well-played hands might just get us there. As Congresswoman Hchin shows through her varied initiatives, there are still some willing to play for real solutions in America’s best interest.