Republican members of the House Appropriations Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee have criticized Senate Democrats for blocking an extension of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding. The move is expected to trigger a shutdown of DHS operations at midnight.
House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole said: “A shutdown is not a strategy – even if Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats treat it like one. It is a setback for national security and for American families. TSA, Coast Guard, and Secret Service personnel will be forced to work without pay. FEMA disaster response will slow. Cyber defenses and counterterrorism efforts will weaken. Law enforcement programs that protect children and trafficking victims will be impacted. The House acted in good faith and passed a bipartisan, full-year funding bill to prevent this very outcome. We did our job. A DHS shutdown doesn’t advance oversight or policy – it only shifts the burden onto frontline personnel and the communities they serve. The damage is real, and the nation will feel it.”
Mark Amodei, chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, stated: “Under the leadership of Chuck Schumer, progressive Democrats are now demanding that Congress weaken interior immigration enforcement or risk shutting down the entire Department of Homeland Security,” said Chairman Mark Amodei. If you think that’s acceptable because you oppose ICE or Border Patrol operations, it’s worth remembering that DHS funds far more than immigration enforcement. Threatening to shut it down puts core national security functions at risk. Policy disagreements are not the responsibility of the appropriations process; rather, they should be taken up with the authorizing committees. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to reflect on the lessons of the longest government shutdown in history, which proved it accomplishes nothing.”
Andrew R. Garbarino, chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, added: “Right now, our country faces a pivotal time for our homeland security, and I worry another lapse in funding for the department will have even longer-lasting impacts than the last. TSA and the Secret Service are preparing for millions of visitors for the World Cup and America 250 celebrations, FEMA is preparing for hurricane season while helping the nation recover from a brutal winter storm, the U.S. Coast Guard is interdicting a record amount of drugs and combating the smuggling of sanctioned oil, and CISA is defending our networks from relentless adversaries while preparing for midterm elections this fall. It is unacceptable that many of these frontline personnel could lose their paychecks for the second time in six months because of Washington’s dysfunction. The resilience of our transportation systems, critical infrastructure, emergency response, and more should not be held hostage by partisan politics. DHS’s work is essential, and it is critical for the department and its frontline personnel to have the stability of long-term funding. Any disruption to the department’s core missions caused by a lapse in funding can only make Americans less safe.”
Michael Guest (R-MS), chairman on Border Security and Enforcement within Homeland Security Subcommittee commented: “This shutdown is driven by Democrats in Senate. DHS funds more than just ICE...The men and women at DHS are just now digging out from last year’s shutdown...this Democrat-led shutdown was completely avoidable.”
Dale Strong (R-AL), chairman on Emergency Management & Technology subcommittee said: "Once again we see Democrats attempting to use a shutdown to gain political points...they hurt critical functions...of FEMA TSA Coast Guard."
Rep Tony Gonzales (R-TX) added: “While Republicans are standing strong ...Democrats are holding funding ...hostage....I'm dedicated to putting Americans' safety first....”
According to background provided with these statements:
In case of a shutdown over 250,000 DHS employees would be required to work without pay; agencies such as FEMA disaster response teams or TSA screeners would face disruptions while ICE/CBP continue operating due to separate funding measures.
Earlier this year nine appropriations bills were passed by bipartisan agreement in both chambers but Senate Democrats withdrew support before final passage.
During committee hearings this week agency leaders warned that lapses in funding undermine coordination across components responsible for cybersecurity protection—such as CISA—and hamper disaster preparedness.
The House Committee on Appropriations plays an important role in drafting federal spending bills—including those affecting community project requests—and allocates funds needed for ongoing government operations each fiscal year through legislation like Continuing Appropriations Acts.
Tom Cole serves as current chair—the 43rd person appointed—to lead the committee. Its membership includes Republicans such as Harold Rogers as well as Democratic figures like Steny Hoyer according to official sources.
In past instances when federal government funding expired—most notably during October 2025—shutdowns led to loss or suspension of key authorities such as Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System capabilities or cyber grant programs.
