DHS Warns Shutdown Could Cut Power to Coast Guard, Stall World Cup Security Prep

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials warned Congress that the prolonged government shutdown is disrupting operations, with the Coast Guard facing potential utility shutoffs at some facilities due to thousands of unpaid bills.

The comments came as the heads of various DHS subagencies were on Capitol Hill to testify about the fiscal year (FY) 2027 budget request, even as Congress failed to pass the DHS FY 26 budget.

Among those testifying was Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday, who said the ongoing shutdown may force the lights to go out – literally. 

“We also have over 5,000 unpaid utility bills, over a hundred providers that have threatened to cut off electricity and water to our Coast Guard stations and air stations,” Admiral Lunday told the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee. “And we’ve got a growing backlog of 18,000 Merchant Mariner credentials that are not processed at a time when the U.S. is trying to rebuild our maritime might.”

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott said that CBP can’t pay for border maintenance, contractors, and certain planes and boats. 

“Border surveillance equipment that requires maintenance is offline until funding is appropriated. Our confidential human sources are not being paid and we’re at risk of losing some of our intelligence tools that help us secure the border,” said Commissioner Scott.

Training Impacts

Meanwhile, DHS leaders warned that the shutdown is impacting training for upcoming events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 presidential campaign and Los Angeles Olympics. Among the concerns is replacing staff members who have left. 

“We just can’t replace that expertise overnight,” said Office of Homeland Security Situation Awareness Director Christopher Tomney. “It has reduced our planned efforts.”

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) acting administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said the agency is poised to lose more workers. 

“We are less than two months away from the FIFA World Cup and it takes us 4 to 6 months to train a new officer so with any spikes in attrition that is going to put us in a difficult position come this summer," said acting administrator McNeill.

Cybersecurity Impact

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Administration (CISA) acting director Nick Andersen said that even though the workforce was fully recalled last week, there are still some activities the agency cannot do during a lapse in appropriations. 

“A lot of those preparatory activities within the environment, a lot of the outreach that we would typically be able to do, that’s simply not possible or legally allowed during the period of a shutdown,” said acting director Andersen. “We’re doing everything that we can.”

Congress Weighs ICE, CBP Reconciliation Bill 

When it comes to ending the current shutdown, the Senate may take its first vote later this week on a reconciliation package funding CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is hoping to keep the bill as “skinny” as possible to get it through the Senate and House quickly. 

However, other Republican senators want to add additional pieces to the ICE and CBP funding. Those could include provisions to pay federal employees who work during a government shutdown and tax cuts. 

And in the House, some Republicans are rejecting the idea that ICE and CBP be split from the rest of DHS funding. 

Democrats, meanwhile, are demanding reforms to immigration enforcement.