At midnight on February 14th, funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired. Each year, Congress must pass 12 appropriations bills to fully fund the government—one of our most important jobs. These appropriations bills provide funding for various government agencies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I've worked to advance all 12 bills out of the House of Representatives. After that, they must be passed by the Senate and signed into law by the president. If Congress doesn't pass all 12 bills before the end of the fiscal year, we can pass a short-term funding extension called a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government open. A CR gives Congress more time to find an agreement between the House, Senate, and White House on funding levels.

On February 3rd, Congress passed a short-term CR to keep the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funded through February 13th. For the government to avoid a partial shutdown, the Senate needed to come to an agreement on a final DHS spending bill. Unfortunately, an agreement was not reached in time and the government entered a partial shutdown. 

The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for keeping our nation safe, and that mission extends far beyond immigration enforcement. The DHS Appropriations Act funds disaster response, port security, aviation safety, and counterterrorism efforts, and shutting down the government over one component of the agency's operations creates uncertainty for the millions of Americans who rely on these essential services. I don't support using a government shutdown as a negotiating tactic and remain hopeful we can reach a reasonable compromise quickly so the hardworking men and women of DHS can continue their critical work without major disruptions.

During this time, my district and Washington, D.C. offices remain open to assist you or answer any questions you may have. If you’ve submitted casework or need help with a government agency, my district staff is available to help.

I understand that many people find this situation frustrating—I do too. As Congress continues to work toward a solution, I’ll continue keeping you updated.

During a DHS shutdown, FEMA would still be able to respond to immediate, life-threatening emergencies by drawing from its Disaster Relief Fund. But a shutdown could still create some challenges. Even if there's resources in the Disaster Relief Fund, fewer FEMA staff on the job means slower coordination and payment processing. When Tulare Lake flooded in 2023, thousands of acres of farmland were underwater and families were forced from their homes. During that time, FEMA worked alongside our local and state partners to support response efforts and begin the long recovery process. That assistance matters in communities where resources are already stretched thin, and in a major natural disaster, any kind of slowdown can make an already difficult situation worse.

During a DHS shutdown, airport security screening would still continue because most TSA employees are deemed essential. But this means employees are working long hours without pay. Requiring TSA employees to work unpaid raises the risk of unscheduled absences, which can quickly strain staffing levels. Even a small number of call-outs can have substantial effects—especially at smaller airports like Bakersfield Municipal Airport—leading to longer lines and extended wait times. If staffing shortages slow passenger screenings, airlines may choose to delay or even cancel departures until normal operations restart.

More than 41,000 active-duty Coast Guard members would be required to continue working without pay, while roughly two-thirds of the civilian workforce would be furloughed and prohibited from working. Training for pilots, aircrews, and boat crews would be suspended, and routine maintenance would be deferred, creating a backlog of repairs. The Coast Guard could also scale back routine safety patrols and commercial vessel inspections. If inspections are delayed, consumers could potentially see supply chain disruptions and rising prices, costing the U.S. economy billions. 

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection are already funded for the next few years, so both agencies will maintain normal operations during a funding lapse. I've spoken to many constituents who have expressed concern about immigration enforcement operations, and while I support enforcing our nation's laws, I believe all federal agents must be properly trained and adhere to appropriate procedures to retain public trust and keep people safe. I remain supportive of responsible policies that prioritize enforcement against known criminals while also advocating for comprehensive immigration reform. The government funding process always includes bipartisan negotiations, and I'm hopeful we can reach a compromise to reopen DHS soon.

Trying to get an answer from a federal agency can often be a time-consuming and frustrating process. If you ever need help navigating a federal agency, you can visit my website here or call my Hanford office at (559) 460-6070. My team is ready to assist you!

Tratar de obtener una respuesta de una agencia federal a menudo puede ser un proceso frustrante y que requiere mucho tiempo. Si alguna vez necesita ayuda con una agencia federal, puede visitar mi sitio de web aquí o llamar a mi oficina de Hanford al (559) 460-6070. ¡Mi equipo está listo para ayudarte!

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