House Minority Leader Blames GOP for DHS Shutdown

Jeffries says Republicans are responsible for the ongoing Department of Homeland Security funding lapse.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:20am

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) held a press briefing where he criticized Republicans for the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which has now lasted 42 days.

Why it matters

The DHS shutdown has disrupted critical government functions related to national security, immigration enforcement, and disaster response, raising concerns about public safety and the administration's ability to effectively manage these issues.

The details

Jeffries accused Republican lawmakers of refusing to pass a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, leading to the extended shutdown. He argued that the GOP's political brinkmanship is harming the country and called on them to work with Democrats to resolve the impasse.

  • The DHS shutdown has lasted 42 days as of March 27, 2026.

The players

Hakeem Jeffries

House Minority Leader and Democratic Congressman from New York.

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What they’re saying

“This Is Day 42 Of The Trump Republican Shutdown Of The Department Of Homeland Security”

— Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader

The takeaway

The ongoing DHS shutdown highlights the partisan gridlock in Congress and the need for bipartisan cooperation to ensure the government can effectively address critical national security and public safety issues.