Signs for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are seen on the Saint Elizabeth campus in Washington, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

The shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not just been another political dispute happening in Washington — it is a direct threat to the safety and security of the American people at a time when our country is facing heightened threats to our national security.

For more than 70 days, Democrats have refused to fund the very agencies tasked with protecting our homeland. As a result, the men and women who work for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Secret Service, Coast Guard, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have been forced to work without pay, while facing growing threats both at home and abroad. The President acted to provide temporary relief; however, as this crisis continued, the scope of that presidential action reached its limit, and the President informed Congress that salaries cannot be paid beyond April 30.

The consequences of this shutdown have already proven to be severe. Across DHS, employee morale has plummeted as missed paychecks created financial stress and uncertainty. Recruitment and retention are also suffering. Operationally, agencies are struggling to pay vendors, maintain facilities, and support critical travel. These are not just abstract problems; they have direct consequences.

At our ports of entry, CBP facilities risk losing essential services, including utilities and communications, if payments lapse. Law enforcement officers incurred travel expenses they may not be reimbursed for, adding further strain on their families. Training programs across multiple agencies have also been canceled, and critical cybersecurity efforts have been scaled back, increasing vulnerabilities to foreign adversaries.

The impacts extend far beyond just border enforcement. FEMA announced that it is nearing depletion of its Disaster Relief Fund, which has been a lifeline for communities like Rock Valley when responding to emergencies and natural disasters. TSA staffing shortages contributed to longer airport wait times, delayed flights, and even flights being canceled. The Coast Guard is also experiencing operational gaps that could easily disrupt maritime security and global supply chains.

Meanwhile, the threats to our homeland are only rising. Recent terrorist incidents on U.S. soil serve as a stark reminder that these agencies are essential to Americans’ safety. A weakened DHS only creates more opportunities for those who wish to do us harm.

Congress has the responsibility to fund the government and protect the American people. That is why House Republicans this week both funded the majority of DHS and moved the funding process forward to ensure partisan gridlock won’t prevent the funding needed to secure our border. Democrats have repeatedly blocked these efforts, prioritizing political demands over public safety. Enough is enough.

Let’s be clear: this is not about partisanship. It is about ensuring that the men and women who defend our country have the support they need to do their jobs. It is about maintaining the operational integrity of the agencies that safeguard our borders, respond to disasters, and prevent attacks.

We simply cannot allow political games to jeopardize our national security. House Republicans remain committed to ensuring that ICE, CBP, and all DHS personnel are fully funded and able to carry out their mission.

The American people deserve nothing less than a government that puts their safety first. It’s time to stand up for those who guard our nation every day.

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Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, represents Iowa’s Fourth District in the U.S. House and is also a candidate for governor.