DEMOCRATS HAVE NO PLANS TO END THEIR BLOCKADE AGAINST FUNDING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) AND PAYING ITS ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES
“I think the Democrats took the wrong hostage. I mean, they’re mad at immigration enforcement, which they don’t believe in, but they are taking TSA and FEMA and the Coast Guard hostage, and they didn’t have anything to do with that.” – Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas)
- “Democrats said Monday they have no plans to end their blockade of Department of Homeland Security funding…” (Politico: Democrats reject ‘ridiculous’ GOP demand to fund DHS after Iran attack – 3/2/26)
- “Because a huge proportion of DHS employees work on ‘essential’ national security related tasks, agency furloughs have been limited, though administrative and planning work is largely on pause. That means most TSA screeners, FEMA workers and Coast Guard members are at work but not being paid as the shutdown stretches past two weeks.” (Politico: Democrats reject ‘ridiculous’ GOP demand to fund DHS after Iran attack – 3/2/26)
- “The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is working with just over one-third of its staff as the Department of Homeland Security shutdown stretches into its third week.” (PoliticoPro: CISA cut personnel to 800 and paused security assessments due to ongoing DHS funding lapse, lawmakers say – 3/3/26)
- “Transportation Security Administration officers have grown increasingly frustrated, raising the risk of straining the airport security system if they do not show up for work, according to employee organizations.” (The New York Times: Republicans Cite Iran Attacks to Pressure Democrats on Shutdown – 3/2/26)
- “TSA officers are set to miss their first round of paychecks later this week, which has lawmakers in both parties bracing for rising absences at the agency and growing lines at airports around the country.” (The Hill: TSA moves to center of shutdown drama as jittery lawmakers offer warnings for economy – 3/2/26)
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- “Another lapse in funding for Transportation Security Officers (TSO) will have consequences for the workforce. During the 2025 shutdown, TSOs’ unscheduled absences reached almost 10 percent.” (U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations: Chair Collins, Sen. Britt Release Fact Sheet on DHS Funding Lapse – 3/3/26)
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- “‘They’re tired of going to work without being paid,’ said Johnny Jones, the secretary and treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees TSA Council 100, which represents about 45,000 TSA workers.” (The New York Times: Republicans Cite Iran Attacks to Pressure Democrats on Shutdown – 3/2/26)
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- “TSA officers worry about how they will afford rent and mortgage payments, and some have taken on side jobs with ride-share services because they are concerned about missing some paychecks, [Jones] said.” (The New York Times: Republicans Cite Iran Attacks to Pressure Democrats on Shutdown – 3/2/26)
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- “Chris Sununu, the former governor of New Hampshire and president and CEO of Airlines for America, warned in an op-ed published in The Hill that America’s aviation system could be ‘plunged into chaos.’” (The Hill: TSA moves to center of shutdown drama as jittery lawmakers offer warnings for economy – 3/2/26)
- “During a shutdown, Coast Guard military families start to face problems with housing and utilities, as vendors who don’t receive payments for utilities, leases, and base contracts could reduce or stop their support altogether.”
- “Reduced support for operations causes gaps in the fleet, including lower asset availability and cancelled patrols and flights. During a shutdown, the Coast Guard cannot issue credentials and documentation for merchant mariners and commercial vessels or onboard new staff.”
(U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations: Chair Collins, Sen. Britt Release Fact Sheet on DHS Funding Lapse – 3/3/26)
THE ONGOING DHS SHUTDOWN COMES IN A HEIGHTENED SECURITY ENVIRONMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES
“DHS plays a critical role in defending against various threats to our homeland including cyberattacks, potential retaliatory terrorism, and disinformation campaigns. CBP, ICE, HSI, TSA, Secret Service, and CISA all play crucial roles in interdicting these threats and protecting the American people. We must fully fund DHS immediately.” – Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Katie Britt (R-Ala.)
- “As America’s conflict with Iran continues, the Department of Homeland Security is warning law enforcement about the heightened risk of lone wolf attacks. Yet the agency tasked with keeping Americans safe — one of the few responsibilities just about everyone agrees is appropriate for government — remains unfunded as Congress bickers over immigration politics.” (The Washington Post: Editorial: Remember the Department of Homeland Security? – 3/2/26)
- “[H]aving fewer people protecting the homeland at a time like this is an unnecessary risk.” (The Washington Post: Editorial: Remember the Department of Homeland Security? – 3/2/26)
- “Several Republican lawmakers are escalating pressure on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) to move forward on funding the Department of Homeland Security, arguing that the risk of a retaliatory attack has increased following U.S. strikes on Iran.” (The Wall Street Journal: Republicans Renew Push for DHS Funding Bill, Fearing Iranian Retaliation – 2/28/26)
- “Congressional Republicans insist the military conflict [in Iran] makes ending the [19]-day DHS shutdown even more urgent, given the agency’s role in counterterrorism and domestic security.” (Politico: Democrats reject ‘ridiculous’ GOP demand to fund DHS after Iran attack – 3/2/26)
- “But funding delays and discontent among federal employees could threaten crucial government services and national security if the shutdown drags on.” (The New York Times: Republicans Cite Iran Attacks to Pressure Democrats on Shutdown – 3/2/26)
- “Democrats dismissed those arguments, saying they would keep demanding restrictions on immigration agents.” (The New York Times: Republicans Cite Iran Attacks to Pressure Democrats on Shutdown – 3/2/26)
DEMOCRATS’ DHS SHUTDOWN IS AFFECTING WORLD CUP SECURITY FUNDING AND CRITICAL DISASTER AID AS WELL
- “Many of the effects of the shutdown are already being felt by FEMA, which is housed within the Department of Homeland Security. Federal officials have warned in recent days that FEMA’s disaster relief fund, which is used to pay for both urgent and long-term recovery work, is being ‘rapidly depleted’ amid the shutdown.” (The New York Times: Republicans Cite Iran Attacks to Pressure Democrats on Shutdown – 3/2/26)
- “And cracks are already showing in some corners of the department, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Federal officials say money for disaster recovery is draining away, and organizers for cities set to host World Cup matches this summer are waiting for funding to ramp up security.” (The New York Times: Republicans Cite Iran Attacks to Pressure Democrats on Shutdown – 3/2/26)
- “Accusing Democrats of ‘playing political games’ with disaster aid amid the DHS shutdown, the FEMA spokesperson warned of ‘dire consequences…’” (Politico: FEMA taps billions for disasters, warning Democrats of ‘dire’ shutdown impact – 2/27/26)
- “Many DHS grants beyond disaster aid are also disbursed via FEMA. That includes counterterrorism and security grants for cities and states hosting events and matches accompanying the FIFA World Cup this summer.” (Politico: DHS funding impasse here to stay as administration ratchets up pressure – 2/27/26)
- “That’s made the agency shutdown particularly worrying for advocacy groups and local officials who need FEMA grants to foot the bill for security at events around the World Cup.” (Politico: DHS funding impasse here to stay as administration ratchets up pressure – 2/27/26)