Key Takeaways
- •Witnesses warned that the 40-day DHS shutdown has created severe staffing shortages at TSA that could compromise security for the millions of travelers expected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- •Ha McNeill (Senior Official, TSA) testified that the agency has lost over 480 officers during this shutdown and that new hires require six months of training to be certified.
- •Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R, NY-2) pressed McNeill on potential airport closures, while Rep. Bennie Thompson (D, MS-2) questioned the effectiveness of deploying untrained ICE agents to assist at checkpoints.
- •Republicans blamed Senate Democrats for blocking funding bills, while Democrats argued the shutdown stems from President Trump’s refusal to accept deals that include reforms for ICE and CBP.
- •The ongoing lapse threatens to deplete FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund and delay critical cybersecurity directives, leaving the nation vulnerable as hurricane season and major national celebrations approach.
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Hearing Analysis
Overview
This hearing examined the operational and security consequences of a 40-day partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As the third funding lapse of the current fiscal year, the shutdown has left approximately 260,000 employees without regular pay and significantly degraded the department’s ability to perform proactive security missions. The discussion focused on the immediate strain on the DHS workforce, the depletion of disaster relief resources, and the looming security risks associated with upcoming large-scale events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the America 250 celebrations.
Key Testimony & Policy
Witnesses from four major DHS components detailed a department in crisis. Ha McNeill, the senior official performing the duties of the Administrator for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), testified that 95 percent of the TSA workforce is working without pay, leading to a 500 percent increase in assaults on officers and wait times exceeding four and a half hours at some airports. McNeill warned that the four-to-six-month training period for new Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) means that any personnel lost to attrition now cannot be replaced before the FIFA World Cup begins in June. She also noted that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are currently being deployed to airports to assist with non-specialized screening functions to alleviate staffing shortages.
Admiral Thomas G. Allan, Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, highlighted the financial strain on the only armed force within DHS. He reported that the Coast Guard has been unfunded for nearly 50 percent of the current fiscal year, resulting in a backlog of 16,000 merchant marine credentials and $200 million in unpaid obligations to industry partners. Nick Andersen, Acting Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), stated that 60 percent of his workforce is furloughed, which has forced the agency to pause strategic initiatives, including the rulemaking process for the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA). Victoria Barton, Associate Administrator at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), warned that the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) has dwindled to $3.6 billion, threatening the agency's ability to respond to the upcoming hurricane season.
Notable Exchanges & Partisan Dynamics
The hearing was marked by sharp partisan disagreement over the cause of the shutdown and the path to reopening the government. Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R, NY-2) and other Republicans blamed Senate Democrats and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for rejecting a bipartisan deal that would have funded the department. Republicans emphasized that the shutdown weakens national security at a time of heightened threats from the Islamic Republic of Iran and ISIS. Rep. Michael McCaul (R, TX-10) argued that withholding funding from DHS is "national security malpractice," particularly regarding the protection of aviation and critical infrastructure.
Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D, MS-2) and Democratic members countered that the shutdown was a "Republican shutdown" directed by President Trump. They pointed to a bill introduced by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D, CT-3) that would fund TSA, FEMA, CISA, and the Coast Guard immediately while leaving the more contentious ICE funding for further negotiation. Rep. Daniel Goldman (D, NY-10) cited comments from Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) suggesting that President Trump had ordered Republicans to reject deals with Democrats. Furthermore, Rep. Delia Ramirez (D, IL-3) and Rep. Seth Magaziner (D, RI-2) raised concerns about the "Project 2025" agenda, alleging that the administration intends to de-unionize and privatize the TSA workforce. Democrats also criticized the use of ICE agents in airports, describing them as untrained for TSA duties and a source of intimidation for travelers.
Organizations Mentioned
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): The central focus of the hearing regarding its 40-day funding lapse and the impact on its 260,000-person workforce. - Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Discussed regarding severe staffing shortages, high attrition rates, and the deployment of ICE agents to assist at security checkpoints. - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Mentioned in the context of a depleting Disaster Relief Fund and the suspension of security grants for houses of worship. - Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): Highlighted for having 60 percent of its staff furloughed, delaying critical cybersecurity rulemaking and proactive threat assessments. - U.S. Coast Guard: Described as facing a "tipping point" due to unpaid industry obligations and a massive backlog in merchant marine licensing. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): A point of major partisan contention; Republicans defended its funding as essential for border security, while Democrats criticized its operations and its temporary role in airport security. - Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA): Mentioned repeatedly as a looming security deadline, with witnesses warning that the shutdown prevents adequate staffing for the 2026 World Cup. - Heritage Foundation: Cited by Democratic members in relation to "Project 2025" and proposals to privatize the TSA and eliminate collective bargaining rights.
What's Next
The committee anticipates further House votes on DHS appropriations later in the week. Witnesses emphasized that even if funding is restored immediately, the "recovery period" for agencies like the Coast Guard will take months, with Admiral Allan estimating two and a half days of recovery needed for every day of the shutdown. FEMA officials expressed urgency regarding the start of the hurricane season, while TSA officials noted the 80-day countdown to the FIFA World Cup as a critical deadline for personnel readiness. Ranking Member Thompson also formally requested a "minority day" hearing to further investigate ICE and CBP operations.
Transcript
Committee on Homeland Security will come to order. Without objection, the chair may declare the committee in recess at any point. For purpose of today's hearing is to assess harmful impacts of the DHS shutdown. Chair reminds all members that the chair will enforce the rules of decorum at all times and urges all members to be mindful of their remarks. I now recognize myself for an opening statement. Good morning. I want to start by thanking our witnesses for appearing before the committee today. Chuck Schumer and the Senate Democrats shut down the Department of Homeland Security 40 days ago. Their actions are reckless, dangerous, and unacceptable. Today, we are fortunate to hear from the leadership of four DHS components that have been dealing with the direct impacts this shutdown has placed on their agencies, their missions, and their workforce. 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. Senate Democrats have repeatedly held up and voted against a bipartisan, bicameral deal to fund DHS for fiscal year 2026. Recent developments in the Senate are showing some potential momentum towards hopefully ending this harmful shutdown soon. If a deal is proposed, we look forward to reviewing it quickly. But the fact is that DHS is still shut down today and we should never have been in the position in the first place. And once this shutdown eventually does end, the department and its workforce will be left dealing with the damaging consequences of it for a long time and lawmakers need to be prepared to support them, another reason why our hearing today is so important. I expect members on the other side of the aisle to speak today about how they support funding for some DHS agencies, including those appearing before us today such as TSA, but they do not support the rest of DHS including ICE and CBP. To withhold funding from the department is not only flawed, but immensely dangerous. The Department of Homeland Security was created after the terrorist attacks of September 11, in direct response to operational silos among security agencies and general failures in coordination and information sharing. As a lifelong Neworker and the representative of a community forever marked by the September 11 terrorist attacks, the mission of the department is deeply personal for me. 25 years later, its purpose is essential as ever. Putting the fragmented pieces together under a single entity was the primary objective in creating the Department of Homeland Security. The department exists to ensure that all agencies and personnel entrusted with protecting the lives of the American people are working together to accomplish their interconnected missions to protect, defend, and secure the homeland. Democrats have argued to throw out that framework by proposing Congress fund some DHS agencies but not others. This approach would dangerously degrade interagency coordination. Responding to threats, protecting the American people, and preparing the country for future events requires the coordinated efforts of dozens of DHS agencies and hundreds of thousands of dedicated individuals all working together to accomplish the department's no-fail mission. The shutdown has caused massive disruptions across our airports and travel system nationwide, weakened our nation's cybersecurity posture, and left states unsupported. With less than 100 days until the start of major events across the United States such as FIFA World Cup, Sail 250, and America 250, we cannot afford to let DHS go unfunded and unsupported. TSA security officers, CISA cyber defenders, civilian Coast Guard personnel, and FEMA emergency management professionals, while deemed essential, are going unpaid. Trump administration has been able to pay military and law enforcement personnel, but this is not a long-term solution. We must focus on funding the DHS workforce. These are public servants who care about the department's mission. These men and women keep our nation safe every day. We need the best and the brightest to defend the United States from sophisticated adversaries and dynamic threats, and this dysfunction and uncertainty only makes it harder for DHS to recruit and retain talented public servants. Washington cannot continue to disrespect and devalue their work without consequence. While back pay is helpful in the long run, mortgage payments, rent, healthcare, childcare, car and electric bills were due yesterday. Providing food for your family cannot be put on hold while Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats play politics with national security. I'm extremely concerned about the long-term impacts that this shutdown will have and already has had. Compounded by the lingering impacts of the 43-day shutdown that DHS experienced last fall on the recruitment and retention of DHS personnel. Over 1,550 TSOs have left TSA during the past two shutdowns. It takes four to six months to onboard and train a new TSO. With the FIFA World Cup across 11 U.S. cities starting June 11, millions of international fans are expected to travel through our nation's airports. This presents a dire situation both in terms of efficiency and security and it only gets worse with each passing day. In the last several weeks, we have seen acts of violence across the country from Austin, Texas to West Bloomfield, Michigan and ISIS-inspired attacks at Old Dominion University and in New York City, reminding us of the persistent threat of terrorism we face and why a fully funded and functional DHS is so critical. New leadership at the department with Secretary Markwayne Mullin presents an opportunity to make improvements across the board and move forward together. This shutdown is not a game and frankly, I'm tired of it being treated like one. The stakes are too high. We owe it to the American people to stop the political games, to fund DHS, and to get back to regular order. I hope all my colleagues will use this opportunity today to hear from the witnesses about the harmful operational and security impacts that this shutdown has caused and the long-term consequences that we need to be prepared to address. I look forward to a productive conversation with our leaders here today. I now recognize the ranking member, the gentleman from Mississippi, Mr. Thompson, for his opening statement.
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