DHS Agencies Plead for Funding Amid Ongoing Budget Impasse

Lawmakers continue to withhold funding for Department of Homeland Security operations.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:49am

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A dynamic, fragmented painting depicting the chaotic state of homeland security funding, with overlapping geometric shapes and lines in shades of blue, grey, and red conveying a sense of instability and disruption.The ongoing budget impasse in Congress is disrupting vital homeland security operations and jeopardizing national safety.Minneapolis Today

Department of Homeland Security agencies are requesting a total of $63 billion in fiscal year 2027 appropriations from Congress, even as Congress continues to withhold DHS funding for the current fiscal year. The Homeland Security bill is the only fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill that remains unpassed, leaving DHS shut down for over 61 days as lawmakers debate immigration enforcement funding.

Why it matters

The ongoing budget impasse is hampering critical DHS operations, including immigration detention and removal, border security, transportation security, disaster response, and cybersecurity. The political gridlock is causing significant strain on DHS personnel and contractors who are working without pay or facing delayed paychecks.

The details

Senate Democrats have refused to pass any Homeland Security funding bill that fails to restrict ICE and Border Patrol operations, while House Republicans are waiting to approve a Senate bill until a broader budget reconciliation package is addressed. In the meantime, DHS agency heads have testified before Congress, reiterating their funding requests and warning of the dire impacts of the ongoing shutdown.

  • The Homeland Security bill for fiscal year 2026 has remained unpassed for over 61 days.
  • DHS agency heads testified before the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, April 17, 2026.

The players

Todd Lyons

Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Rodney Scott

Acting Director of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Ha Nguyen McNeill

Acting Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Rep. Lauren Underwood

Democratic Congresswoman from North Carolina.

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What they’re saying

“The impacts of the ongoing failure to fund ICE through the appropriations process have been dire, as numerous ICE personnel and operations have gone unfunded, including much of ICE's Homeland Security Investigations.”

— Todd Lyons, Acting Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

“Due to our national security mission, 95% of our workforce was required to work without pay during the multiple shutdowns, causing great strain and financial hardship. Paying these dedicated employees for the work they perform should never again be a point of debate.”

— Ha Nguyen McNeill, Acting Administrator, Transportation Security Administration

“In my opinion these are leadership problems, not funding problems. Why would we appropriate more funding[?] ...Now you're here with your hand out, asking the American taxpayers for even more money. Enough is enough.”

— Rep. Lauren Underwood, Democratic Congresswoman, North Carolina

What’s next

Congress must reach an agreement on the Homeland Security appropriations bill to reopen the Department of Homeland Security and provide necessary funding for its agencies.

The takeaway

The ongoing budget impasse between Congress and the administration is severely disrupting critical DHS operations, straining personnel, and raising concerns about national security and public safety. Resolving this funding dispute will require bipartisan compromise on immigration enforcement policies.