House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino said on Mar. 25 that the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is causing significant harm to the department’s core missions, workforce, and interagency security coordination. The comments came during a committee hearing examining the consequences of stalled funding for DHS and its agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), United States Coast Guard (USCG), and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
The hearing featured testimony from senior leaders representing these agencies as lawmakers discussed how lapses in funding have affected national security operations. Funding for DHS has been delayed despite bipartisan passage of an appropriations bill by the House earlier in January and March.
In his opening statement, Garbarino criticized Senate Democrats for what he described as "reckless, dangerous, and unacceptable" actions that led to a 40-day shutdown. He said, "It is unfortunate that Senate Democrats chose to shut down DHS and weaken our national security posture for their own political gain, especially at such a critical time and heightened threat environment across the homeland." He added that while there are recent signs in the Senate suggesting possible progress toward ending the shutdown, damage has already been done: "But the fact is that DHS is still shut down today, and we should never have been in this position in the first place."
Garbarino highlighted concerns about proposals to fund only certain parts of DHS while leaving others unfunded. He stated: "To withhold funding from the Department is not only flawed but immensely dangerous." Citing lessons learned after September 11th terrorist attacks—when DHS was created to unify disparate security efforts—he warned against fragmenting agency funding.
He also addressed impacts on personnel recruitment and retention within TSA due to back-to-back shutdowns: "Over 1,550 TSOs have left TSA during the past two shutdowns... With FIFA World Cup... starting June 11th... This presents a dire situation." Garbarino called attention to essential staff working without paychecks while facing everyday expenses.
Looking ahead, Garbarino expressed hope for collaboration under new leadership at DHS with Secretary Markwayne Mullin: "This shutdown is not a game... We owe it to the American people to stop political games, fund DHS, and get back to regular order." He urged colleagues to consider testimony from agency leaders about operational challenges caused by continued funding delays.
