Democrats’ Obstruction of DHS Funding Has Long-Lasting Consequences

The Costs of Democrats’ DHS Shutdown Continue to Reverberate, Even as Democrats Threaten to Lay Down More Roadblocks to Law Enforcement Funding and Shut Down the Government Again

AFTER DEMOCRATS INSTIGATED THE TWO LONGEST GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS IN HISTORY, THE TSA AND ITS EMPLOYEES ARE STILL FEELING THE IMPACTS

“The record-breaking Department of Homeland Security shutdown might be over — but the damage is already done to some of the agency’s critical missions, including disaster response and airport security screening just weeks before the summer travel season begins.” (Politico: ‘Six months to catch up’: What the shutdown cost DHS – 5/2/26)

“More than 1,110 officers at the Transportation Security Administration have quit since the [most recent] DHS shutdown began Feb. 14, a spokesperson told POLITICO…” (Politico: Over 1,000 TSA officers have quit amid shutdown – 4/27/26)

“During last fall’s 43-day federal shutdown, around 1,110 TSA officers left the agency, a 25 percent increase in separations compared with the same time frame in 2024.” (Politico: Over 1,000 TSA officers have quit amid shutdown – 4/27/26)

“The latest figure, first reported by POLITICO, could have implications for this summer’s FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in June. The TSA spokesperson in a statement… said replacements need four to six months of training to ‘perform regular airport duties.’” (Politico: Over 1,000 TSA officers have quit amid shutdown – 4/27/26)

“U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman said in a statement… that there are ‘no real winners in a shutdown,’ adding that the way in which Congress has used government shutdowns to ‘advance political goals’ carries ‘real consequences for our national security and the traveling public.’ ‘Just weeks until the World Cup, our preparedness has taken a step backward,’ Freeman said. ‘We emerge from this disruption weaker, not stronger.’” (Politico: ‘Six months to catch up’: What the shutdown cost DHS – 5/2/26)

IT’S NOT JUST TSA: FEMA AND THE COAST GUARD ARE ALSO TRYING TO CATCH BACK UP AFTER DEMOCRATS’ HALT IN FUNDING CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THEIR OPERATIONS AND BASIC SERVICES

“Two FEMA staffers… said the shutdown has exacerbated concerns about preparation for hurricanes and other severe summer weather.” (Politico: ‘Six months to catch up’: What the shutdown cost DHS – 5/2/26)

“Officials within DHS and people close to the administration are relieved to see funding restored, but they acknowledge that the lapse slowed key priorities. For months, officials’ felt ‘stuck in the sand,’ said a person close to the administration, who added that DHS will now be able to use the funding as a ‘springboard and start moving forward.’” (Politico: ‘Six months to catch up’: What the shutdown cost DHS – 5/2/26)

“Secretary Markwayne Mullin… said the shutdown, which has also impacted staffing at the agency in charge of cybersecurity, has hurt morale. He also pointed to the shutdown’s impact on the Coast Guard, where the funding delay has delayed licensing some 18,000 commercial and private boats.” (Politico: ‘Six months to catch up’: What the shutdown cost DHS – 5/2/26)

Democrats’ DHS shutdown also caused the Coast Guard to miss hundreds of millions in utility bills, causing service shutdowns at housing and duty stations around the world:
- “The U.S. Coast Guard cannot pay its bills. The military branch — now 76 days into the longest shutdown in U.S. history — owes over $300 million in unpaid obligations. And with thousands of utility bills overdue, totaling $5.2 million, duty stations and military housing worldwide are facing service shutdowns.”
- “Jessica Manfre, a Coast Guard spouse for 18 years, said the utility shutoffs aren't isolated incidents, and Coast Guard families across the service have been vocal about their concerns.” (CBS News: Coast Guard operating in "crisis" as DHS shutdown halts pay in May, cuts power, strains missions overseas – 4/30/26)

- “It seems like a horror movie, but it's actually happening. It's almost unbelievable… We have over 6,000 utility bills that have been unpaid because DHS is not funded. And so, now we're starting to see electricity, water, natural gas, other services shut off that are impacting not only our operational units and bases where our people work, but starting to impact where people live.” –U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday

EVEN AFTER ACHIEVING NOTHING WITH THEIR SHUTDOWN, DEMOCRATS KEEP DENIGRATING LAW ENFORCEMENT, CONTINUE OBSTRUCTING DHS FUNDING, AND ARE EVEN THREATENING TO SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT YET AGAIN

“You’re here, adding $140 billion to an agency that nobody- to two, two, two groups – Border Patrol and ICE – that nobody respects in this country.” – Senate Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

“The shutdown’s uncertainty has taken a toll on ICE and CBP staffers, particularly professional and civilian support staff who missed paychecks in the early weeks of funding lapse, said an administration official.” (Politico: ‘Six months to catch up’: What the shutdown cost DHS – 5/2/26)

“It’s a ‘huge misconception’ that all of ICE and Border Patrol have been unscathed during the shutdown, the official said.” (Politico: ‘Six months to catch up’: What the shutdown cost DHS – 5/2/26)

While causing pain to civilian workers at ICE and CBP, “Democrats didn’t extract a single significant concession from Republicans, so this was nothing more than a political exercise.” (Punchbowl News: AM: Senate passes DHS funding — without ICE and CBP – 3/27/26)

Despite Democrats achieving nothing but harm to workers across the DHS, Democrats are determined to throw up more roadblocks and are already expressing their willingness to shut down the government yet again:
- “Senate Dem Leader Chuck Schumer in 'Dear Colleague' letter says Senate Democrats will throw everything they got against GOP budget reconciliation bill.” (The Hill’s Alex Bolton: post on X – 5/11/26)

- “Democrats will fight the Republicans’ reconciliation bill with every tool we have. We will bring Byrd Rule challenges. We will offer floor amendments. And we will force vote after vote…” – Senate Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)
- CNN’S VICTOR BLACKWELL: “And so, Congressman, let me just get clarity and I'm going to let you finish your answer here. When you say absolutely, that suggests that there could be another shutdown and there could be another lapse in pay for those TSA workers, the Coast Guard, if Republicans withhold -- Democrats withhold those votes at the end of September.”
- REP. BENNIE THOMPSON (D-Miss.): “Absolutely. Yeah.” (CNN: Transcripts – 5/2/26; Leader Scalise: post on X – 5/2/26)

Next Previous