NBC Host Presses GOP Rep on Responsibility for DHS Shutdown

Welker challenges Lawler's claim that Democrats are to blame for the prolonged funding lapse.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:20am

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In a tense interview on NBC's Meet the Press, host Kristen Welker pressed Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) on which party is responsible for the partial government shutdown that has left some Department of Homeland Security workers without paychecks for over 40 days. Despite Lawler's attempts to blame Democrats, Welker pointed out that Republicans control all three branches of government and have the power to call Congress back into session to resolve the funding impasse.

Why it matters

The ongoing DHS shutdown has disrupted critical government functions like FEMA, the Coast Guard, and the Secret Service, raising concerns about national security and disaster response capabilities. The political blame game between the parties has only exacerbated the situation, underscoring the need for bipartisan cooperation to keep the government running.

The details

The Senate passed a funding bill last week, but the House did not vote on it before recessing for Easter break. Welker pressed Lawler on whether House Speaker Mike Johnson should call Congress back this week to get the government reopened, rather than waiting until April 14th. Lawler instead shifted blame to Democrats, citing the case of an 18-year-old college student allegedly killed by an undocumented migrant in Chicago.

  • The Senate passed a funding bill last week.
  • The House did not vote on the bill before recessing for Easter break.
  • Congress is not scheduled to return until April 14th.

The players

Kristen Welker

NBC News host who interviewed Rep. Mike Lawler on Meet the Press.

Rep. Mike Lawler

Republican Congressman from New York who appeared on Meet the Press to discuss the DHS shutdown.

Mike Johnson

Speaker of the House of Representatives, who has the power to call Congress back into session.

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What they’re saying

“The fact is, Democrats made a very calculated decision to shut down the department because they do not want to enforce our immigration laws.”

— Rep. Mike Lawler, Congressman

“Let me just get back to the question though. Republicans are in charge of all three branches of government. House Speaker Mike Johnson has the capacity to call everyone back. Does he have a responsibility to do so, to bring everyone back to get the government reopened? Does this not fall to Republicans to do this?”

— Kristen Welker, NBC News Host

What’s next

The House is scheduled to return from recess on April 14th, at which point they will likely vote on the Senate's funding bill to reopen the Department of Homeland Security.

The takeaway

This shutdown highlights the partisan gridlock in Washington, with both parties attempting to shift blame rather than work together to keep critical government functions operating. Ultimately, the responsibility falls on the party in power - the Republicans - to take action and resolve the funding impasse.