GOP Says Iran Conflict Heightens Need for Quick End to DHS Shutdown

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown entered its third week and Republicans in Congress say the conflict in Iran is escalating the need to end the shutdown quickly. 

“We must ensure DHS is operating at maximum readiness to prevent and respond to threats against our homeland,” said House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY). 

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) says House Republicans will bring up another DHS appropriations bill this week. 

“We are calling on House Democrats to end their dangerous games by bringing to the floor legislation to end the DHS shutdown so we can ensure agencies can protect America during this dangerous time,” wrote Majority Leader Scalise. 

However, Democrats are demanding that changes still be made to immigration enforcement tactics, before agreeing to any deal. 

“I don’t have any obligation to fund a Department of Homeland Security that is violating the law every day,” said Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT). 

Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) agreed on that point.

“We gave fair warning to the Republicans that we were serious about reining in what the ICE forces are doing. What we’re talking about is responsible,” said Minority Whip Durbin. 

Operational Impact

Former DHS counterterrorism official Thomas Warrick said the shutdown shouldn’t seriously affect DHS’s counterterrorism capabilities for at least several months. But a prolonged shutdown with mounting missed paychecks could lead to employee distractions. 

“After a certain amount of time, you start to have friction in the system,” said Warrick. “People become irritated because they’re not being paid and they’re worried about how to put food on the table.”

Meanwhile, the effects of the shutdown are starting to be felt more broadly, as thousands of DHS employees report to work without pay. 

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is calling on Congress to pass legislation to pay all DHS employees on time, even if the shutdown is ongoing.

“These essential workers have already endured a 43-day government shutdown last fall and a four-day shutdown earlier this year and have continued to serve the American people with pride,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley. “AFGE members are tired of being forced on this roller coaster every time their elected officials fail to do their jobs.”