A senior Republican lawmaker warned on Sunday that Congress must prioritize bipartisan 'low-hanging fruit' in Department of Homeland Security reforms to prevent a government shutdown. The comments came as funding for the agency and other federal departments remains in limbo as the fiscal year ends, with both parties blaming the other for the stalemate.
The lawmaker, Rep. Mike Johnson, stated that the focus should be on passing targeted legislation rather than engaging in complex ideological battles over agency structure. He argued that delaying action on these specific reforms increases the risk of a lapse in appropriations for the nation's second-largest cabinet department.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic leaders argue that while compromise is necessary, they cannot accept legislation that weakens border security or eliminates critical disaster relief funding. Representative Hakeem Jeffries stated that the administration expects a clean funding bill and that partisan games will hurt American security. The party caucus remains divided on specific DHS reforms, with some progressives pushing for broader civil rights protections for federal employees.
What the Right Is Saying
The GOP lawmaker emphasized that complex legislative battles over agency structure are delaying action, and that passing targeted reforms like adjusting funding caps or streamlining personnel oversight would satisfy both parties and prevent a lapse. In an interview, the representative stated, 'We are playing fast and loose with national security by bogging down in ideological warfare when there are obvious compromises available to keep the lights on at DHS.' Conservative think tanks have echoed this sentiment, arguing that the current funding stalemate undermines border enforcement capabilities.
What the Numbers Show
The Department of Homeland Security has an annual budget of approximately $80 billion. As of February 2026, 85% of the agency's funding is authorized, leaving a funding gap of roughly $12 billion. During the 35-day shutdown in 2019, the DHS furloughed over 40,000 employees, though essential border and air security personnel continued to work without pay. Recent polling indicates that 54% of voters believe Congress is handling DHS funding poorly, with the highest approval ratings coming from the Republican base.
The Bottom Line
Unless a consensus is reached on specific reforms, the risk of a funding lapse remains high, potentially delaying critical border security initiatives and impacting disaster response capabilities. Lawmakers are expected to return to the Capitol next week for a series of votes aimed at closing the funding gap.