House Republicans to Scrutinize Homeland Security Shutdown Costs and Risks

House Republicans are intensifying their criticism of the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown as the funding lapse continues with no resolution in sight, highlighting both security concerns and financial hardships faced by agency personnel.

The House Homeland Security Committee has scheduled a hearing for next Wednesday to examine the security risks and financial strain affecting DHS employees. Senior officials from key agencies under the DHS umbrella—the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Coast Guard, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)—are expected to testify about operational impacts and personnel welfare concerns.

“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,” said Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) in a statement. “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.”

The impasse continues after Democrats reportedly rejected the White House’s latest counteroffer on immigration enforcement reforms, which Democrats have insisted must be addressed to end the funding gap. House Republicans have criticized Democrats for withholding support for a full-year DHS funding measure during what they describe as a heightened threat environment related to U.S.-Israeli tensions with Iran.

Air travel disruptions have become particularly problematic as the spring travel season accelerates. An estimated 170 million Americans are expected to pass through the country’s airports during this period, while more than 50,000 TSA employees remain unpaid during the shutdown.

The staffing situation has grown increasingly dire. According to the House Homeland Security Committee, over 360 TSA employees have resigned during the 34-day partial shutdown, and approximately 10% of agents failed to report for work on Sunday. These staffing constraints have resulted in extended security lines at some major U.S. airports, with some travelers facing multi-hour waits, though wait times at New York’s JFK and LaGuardia airports remained under 20 minutes as of Wednesday evening.

FEMA faces similar challenges, with an estimated 85% of staff working without pay—mirroring staffing levels during the previous shutdown in fall 2025. FEMA leadership has warned that the agency could struggle to mount an effective response in the event of a major disaster while operating under shutdown constraints.

The political battle lines are clearly drawn. House Democrats, led by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), have proposed legislation that would fund every DHS sub-agency except those handling immigration enforcement. Democrats announced plans to force a vote on their measure by filing a discharge petition, which would require securing signatures from several Republican representatives to trigger a vote on the underlying bill.

Rep. Garbarino dismissed the Democratic proposal, stating, “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.”

Senate Republicans have blocked similar legislation in the upper chamber, maintaining that the entire DHS—including its immigration enforcement functions—must receive full-year funding rather than a partial approach.

As the shutdown continues, the upcoming House Homeland Security Committee hearing will likely highlight the operational and human costs of the funding lapse across critical security agencies, potentially increasing pressure on both parties to find a resolution to the impasse.