House Committee on Homeland Security Republicans warned on April 6 of the long-term impacts resulting from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, which they attribute to Congressional Democrats. The shutdown has now lasted more than 50 days and covers half of Fiscal Year 2026.
Committee members say the ongoing funding lapse is straining the DHS workforce, disrupting coordination with state and local partners, and weakening national security. Last month, a hearing was held featuring testimony from senior officials across several agencies including the United States Coast Guard, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Chairman Michael Guest said: “I’m worried that Americans are less safe today during this shutdown. In a time in which we have a conflict in the Middle East, where we should be at a position of heightened security, we’re not able to meet those demands because we have individuals who are not getting paid and are not able to come to work.”
Representative Vince Fong highlighted disruptions in security preparedness due to staffing shortages at TSA during major upcoming events such as the World Cup and Olympics. He said: “It’s very clear that the security of our homeland is not a game. We are facing a heightened threat landscape with everything going on, and it’s more important now than ever that the Department of Homeland Security is fully funded…We have TSA agents who are leaving the agency. 458, I think, have left the agency so far during this shutdown… In California, we are planning for the World Cup and the Olympics…Security planning is being impacted right now... Our cybersecurity threats continue to intensify... FEMA, we got wildfires, tornadoes. Those things are occurring right now... We need FEMA operating at full strength so we can prepare for disasters.” Fong also noted: “The tragedy that happened on 9/11 is the reason the Department of Homeland Security was created... The mission that they are entrusted is to protect America, to protect us.”
Representative Sheri Biggs spoke about hardships faced by DHS employees: “We have seen hard-working individuals suffer... Seeing those workers going to work without a paycheck, worried about how they’re going to keep their home... it’s ridiculous… Now is not the time to be playing dangerous games.”
Representative Gabe Evans criticized what he described as an anti-law enforcement agenda among Democrats: “Unfortunately... Democrats have never truly moved on from their defund-the-police and open borders policies.... They’re doing ... refusing to pass ... funding bill...” Representative Matt Van Epps discussed how collaboration between public agencies like Coast Guard and private contractors has been undermined by payment delays.
Republican committee members concluded by urging an end to political disagreements over DHS funding so national security operations can resume normal functioning.
