Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, called on March 12 for Democrats to work with Republicans to reopen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), citing ongoing disruptions caused by the shutdown.
The issue is significant because the DHS shutdown has led to operational challenges at airports, delayed disaster assistance, and forced thousands of essential employees to work without pay. Collins said these conditions threaten national security and public safety.
In her floor remarks, Collins said, “Mr. President, I rise to urge my colleagues to end the reckless Democratic shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.” She described how more than 50,000 Transportation Security Administration agents are working without pay and that some have left their jobs due to financial hardship. "Over the weekend, we saw security lines at some American airports stretch for more than three hours as a result of TSA staffing shortages," she said.
Collins criticized Democratic leaders for not responding to a White House offer intended to resolve the impasse. She said, “We are nearly a month into the shutdown of this vital department, and today marks two weeks of the Senate Democratic leadership sitting on what is a good-faith offer from the White House to end the shutdown.”
She also highlighted concerns about proposed cuts affecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), noting their roles in combating crime beyond immigration enforcement. "Do we really want to defund those vital investigations, Mr. President? I think not," Collins said.
The Senate Appropriations Committee oversees federal expenditures as mandated by law and ensures accountability in public money management according to its official website. The committee manages legislation related to federal funding, conducts hearings on spending proposals, and oversees government programs according to its official website. Historically, Lot Morrill of Maine served as chairman during its early operations according to its official website. The committee has influenced federal spending through oversight of budgets and programs including trade and international affairs according to its official website. Its authority comes from the U.S. Constitution’s requirement that funds be drawn from the treasury only through appropriations made by law according to its official website. It is known for producing appropriations bills such as the Homeland Security Appropriations Act according to its official website.
Collins concluded her remarks by urging bipartisan cooperation: “Mr. President, it’s time for our Democratic colleagues to get serious. Thank you, Mr. President.”
The broader implications include potential impacts on national security operations if funding is not restored soon. Observers will watch closely as negotiations continue over DHS appropriations.
