House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino announced on Mar. 19 that the committee will hold a hearing next Wednesday, March 25, to examine the effects of the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. The hearing will focus on how the funding lapse is affecting core missions, federal employees, and coordination among agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), United States Coast Guard (USCG), and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
The issue is significant because many DHS employees are working without pay or have been put on leave, which could weaken national security and emergency response efforts. The House passed a bipartisan appropriations bill for DHS in January and again in March, but funding has stalled in the Senate.
"Amid one of the busiest travel seasons and as we face heightened physical and cyber threats from the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism and other adversaries, it is deeply troubling that DHS’s core mission continues to be undermined by Democrats’ political games. As a lifelong New Yorker, we must never forget that this Department was created in the aftermath of the worst terrorist attacks on U.S. soil," Garbarino said. "Each day this shutdown continues, it jeopardizes the safety of Americans and creates worsening financial hardship for the frontline DHS personnel who work hard every day to protect the homeland. For the second time in six months, personnel like TSA security officers, FEMA emergency management professionals, CISA’s cyber defenders, and U.S. Coast Guardsmen are working without the certainty of their next paycheck, while others have been put on leave––further weakening our security posture and undermining emergency response and preparedness efforts. I appreciate officials from these components for coming before the Committee to provide insight into the real-world consequences of this shutdown and how each component is working to accomplish its mission despite it. I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle recognize that there is far too much at stake to continue blocking full funding for the department, and that any piecemeal funding efforts simply fail to meet the moment."
The hearing titled “Funding Lapse and Security Gaps: Assessing the Harmful Impacts of the DHS Shutdown on Americans” will take place at 10:00 AM ET in room 310 Cannon House Office Building. Witnesses include Admiral Thomas Allan from USCG; Ms. Ha Nguyen McNeill from TSA; Mr. Nicholas Andersen from CISA; and Mr. Gregg Phillips from FEMA's Office of Response and Recovery.
Background information provided by committee materials notes that more than 250,000 DHS employees may be affected by pay disruptions during a shutdown period. Previous hearings have highlighted concerns about interagency collaboration being hindered by lapses in funding as well as potential impacts on major events such as FIFA World Cup preparations.
The hearing will be livestreamed online for public viewing, with press attendance requiring congressional credentials.
