North Texas Lawmakers Slam DHS Shutdown as TSA Lines Grow

Partisan divide deepens as Democrats demand reforms to immigration enforcement agencies.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:34pm

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As Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints see longer lines at some Texas airports, members of Congress from both parties in North Texas are engaged in a heated debate over the ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The shutdown, now set to become the second-longest in U.S. history, comes amid concerns over recent terror attacks and disagreements over the role and conduct of immigration enforcement agencies like ICE and CBP.

Why it matters

The DHS shutdown is exacerbating tensions between Republicans and Democrats over immigration policy and enforcement, with each side accusing the other of putting politics ahead of national security. The impasse could have significant impacts on airport operations, disaster response, and other critical homeland security functions.

The details

Senate Democrats voted against funding the DHS, demanding changes following the deaths of two individuals at the hands of ICE and CBP agents in Minneapolis. Republicans have accused Democrats of "weaponizing" these incidents to score political points, while Democrats say ICE and CBP need a "complete overhaul" in their tactics and priorities. Both sides appear dug in, with Republicans rejecting Democratic proposals to fund only the TSA and Democrats insisting on broader reforms to immigration enforcement.

  • The DHS shutdown enters its second month on Friday, March 17, 2026.
  • The shutdown follows four separate incidents, some deadly, that are being investigated as terror attacks by naturalized citizens.

The players

Brandon Gill

U.S. Representative, Republican from Flower Mound, Texas.

Julie Johnson

U.S. Representative, Democrat from Farmers Branch, Texas.

Greg Casar

U.S. Representative, Democrat from Austin, Texas.

John Cornyn

U.S. Senator, Republican from Texas.

Keith Self

U.S. Representative, Republican from McKinney, Texas.

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What they’re saying

“We passed a bill out of the House that Democrats agreed to. It was conferenced with the Senate, and they decided to back out of that agreement in order to score political points. This is on them. They've got to come to their senses. Holding up this bill makes the country less safe.”

— Brandon Gill, U.S. Representative (CBS News Texas)

“We want to see a complete overhaul of what this agency is doing. We want them to target the violent criminals, for sure. But what they're doing and the way they are doing it is unacceptable. They're just picking up people who are going to work, who are working in this economy, taking care of their family, with no active criminal threat or conviction.”

— Julie Johnson, U.S. Representative (CBS News Texas)

“There's a bipartisan bill to fund just the TSA. Can we do that together?”

— Greg Casar, U.S. Representative (CBS News Texas)

“Not acceptable. How about all the terrorist attacks like we've seen down on 6th Street? You want those to continue? These people are keeping us safe. Tell the Democrats to vote for funding the DHS.”

— John Cornyn, U.S. Senator (CBS News Texas)

“ICE is funded. That's the ludicrousy of this. TSA lines are going to have to get longer to force the Democrats to come to the table.”

— Keith Self, U.S. Representative (CBS News Texas)

What’s next

A vote in the Senate has not been scheduled, and 60 votes are required to restore funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

The takeaway

The DHS shutdown has become a partisan flashpoint, with Republicans accusing Democrats of playing politics and Democrats demanding sweeping reforms to immigration enforcement agencies. The impasse is having real-world impacts on airport security and other critical homeland security functions, underscoring the urgent need for compromise and a resolution.