House Republicans on the Homeland Security Committee have called for an end to the partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), now entering its fourth week. On the House floor, committee members urged final passage of full-year funding for DHS, emphasizing national security concerns amid ongoing military conflict with Iran and in advance of major international events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
The bipartisan Fiscal Year 2026 DHS appropriations bill has passed in the House twice this year, but most House Democrats have voted against it. Senate Democrats continue to block long-term funding measures.
Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) addressed these issues during remarks on the House floor. He said: “For nearly three weeks, the key pieces of the Department of Homeland Security have been shut down, and families face uncertainty about their paychecks. This is happening because some in this chamber are choosing to play politics at a time when the work of DHS staff is urgently needed, and despite having negotiated this bipartisan agreement themselves. Today, some DHS components are operating at limited capacity. Trainings are halted, long-term planning is paused, and only bare-minimum essential services are being continued. This is not sustainable for our national security.”
He added: “TSA officers stand on the frontlines every single day to secure our skies, yet they’re working without paychecks. The Coast Guard can fully execute marine security, if they had funding, but search and rescue operations, drug interdiction missions––all of those are in jeopardy because, again, of the opposition from the other side. FEMA’s disaster response and recovery efforts are scaled back as severe weather and emergencies approach. CISA, our nation’s cyber defense agency, is operating at limited capacity during heightened global tensions. The Secret Service faces constraints in protecting our leaders… It’s time to put the politics aside, support the men and women who protect our nation, prioritize that safety of the American people, and that means ending this shutdown, passing the bill, and fully restoring the operational readiness of the Department of Homeland Security.”
Rep. Sheri Biggs (R-SC) also spoke on these issues: “At a time when the threat of terrorism is real and it’s rising, those on the other side of the aisle have left the agency responsible for protecting our homeland just hanging out to dry for nearly a month… DHS works to stop terrorist threats. DHS supports the law enforcement officers who keep our community safe. And letting it stay shut down––it’s reckless. Stop the partisan games and protect Americans. Mr. Speaker, this issue is personal for me. I am a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, and I still currently serve. And should I be called up, my go bag is packed and ready. Serving as a medical crew director in the back of an aircraft in hostile environments, I’ve looked wounded service members in their eyes as I cared for them.”
She continued: “For nearly 50 years, the Iranian regime fueled terrorism. It backed proxy militias and threatened Americans and our allies. Their chants of death to America have never been symbolic. They’ve been backed by violence and a relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons… Russia is watching. China is watching. Every adversary testing Americans’ resolve is watching. There is peace through strength. It protects American lives, and it keeps our country safe.”
Rep. Vince Fong (R-CA) highlighted concerns over cybersecurity operations during his remarks: “As congressional Democrats continue to play partisan games, they are weakening our cybersecurity operations, disrupting critical intelligence sharing, forcing public servants supporting our national security to go without pay including critical personnel from TSA who work every day to prevent terror attacks and FEMA who support our communities in wake of disasters... In my home state of California we continue preparations to host major international events like 2026 FIFA World Cup which begins this coming June followed by 2028 Summer Olympic Games... The safety and success of these global events hinge on DHS’s ability to maintain mission readiness... To delay any longer is to risk lives.”
In January 2026 Congress passed six final appropriations bills including one providing full fiscal year funding for DHS with resources directed toward body cameras de-escalation training increased transparency through OIG support as well as vital funds for agencies such as FEMA TSA U.S Coast Guard Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). During government shutdowns many among more than 250000 employees at DHS must work without pay while critical functions operate at reduced capacity.
Earlier oversight hearings included testimony from leaders across U.S Immigrations & Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs & Border Protection (CBP), Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), highlighting how shutdowns undermine interagency coordination necessary for core missions such as border management emergency response or cybersecurity defense.
Concerns were also raised by law enforcement stakeholders involved with upcoming international sporting events regarding potential risks posed by delayed federal funding or interruptions caused by lapses like current shutdown.
