This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for the Department of Homeland Security and emphasizes the urgent need to fully fund the agency to ensure national safety and security.
Ryan Mackenzie
Representative
PA-7
This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and underscores the critical need for consistent, full funding. It highlights how government funding lapses jeopardize national security, disrupt essential operations, and negatively impact the personnel tasked with protecting the American people. Ultimately, the resolution calls for immediate action to ensure DHS maintains the resources necessary to defend against a heightened domestic threat environment.
| Party | Total Votes | Yes | No | Did Not Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Democrat | 214 | 9 | 187 | 18 |
Republican | 218 | 216 | 0 | 2 |
House Resolution Demands Full Funding for DHS to End Pay Lapses and Staffing Shortages
This resolution formally recognizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an essential backbone of national safety and calls for an end to the funding lapses that force over 90 percent of its staff to work without pay. The bill details how recent budget gaps have triggered a domino effect across the country, from 300 resignations at the TSA to missed paychecks for Coast Guard members. By documenting a series of specific security threats from early 2026—including cyberattacks and domestic incidents in Texas, New York, and Michigan—the resolution argues that keeping these agencies on a financial rollercoaster creates a dangerous 'uncertainty' that directly impacts public safety.
The Cost of Working for Free
When the government hits a funding snag, most DHS employees don't get to stay home; they are classified as 'essential,' meaning they show up to work while their bank accounts stay empty. This bill highlights the real-world fallout: at the TSA, this has led to longer security lines and travel delays for anyone trying to catch a flight. For the Coast Guard, the lack of steady pay isn't just a morale killer—it’s actively hurting their ability to recruit new members and maintain operations against criminal organizations. Whether you’re a commuter stuck in a terminal or a merchant mariner relying on coastal safety, the bill suggests that a 'lapse in appropriations' isn't just a budget glitch—it’s a service disruption.
Beyond the Border: Your Data and Your Town
While we often associate DHS with border security, this resolution reminds us that the agency’s reach is much broader. It specifically points to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which acts as a digital shield for our power grids and hospitals against foreign cyber threats. It also notes that FEMA’s ability to help your local community bounce back from a natural disaster depends on this central funding. By pushing for full, coordinated funding rather than piecemeal budgets for individual departments, the resolution aims to ensure that the person protecting your local airport, the tech expert securing the electrical grid, and the agent tracking illicit drugs are all operating at 100 percent capacity.