Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas issued a stark warning on Friday, cautioning that the Department of Homeland Security could face dire consequences if Congress failed to pass legislation funding federal agencies and prevent a government shutdown. Mayorkas emphasized the critical impact a funding lapse would have on various components of his agency, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), FEMA, Border Patrol, and the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office.
Speaking on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Mayorkas underscored the gravity of the situation, stating that the implications and consequences of a shutdown, particularly for Homeland Security, would be severe. He implored lawmakers to act swiftly and approve a stopgap spending bill before the looming deadline, as a short-term extension enacted in September was set to expire at midnight.
As the House rushed to pass a last-minute stopgap funding bill with bipartisan support on Friday night, the legislation was then sent to the Senate for consideration. House Speaker Mike Johnson had earlier unveiled a comprehensive legislative package negotiated with Democrats, intending to extend government funding through March 14 and allocate over $100 billion in disaster aid for states impacted by extreme weather events. Additionally, the bill included provisions for a pay raise for members of Congress.
However, the ambitious proposal faced opposition from conservative Republicans who raised concerns about the size and scope of the 1,550-page deal. Notably, the package was criticized by billionaire Elon Musk, an ally of President-elect Donald Trump, who took to social media platform X to voice his disapproval. Subsequently, President-elect Trump himself intervened, derailing negotiations by calling for Republicans to address the impending debt limit reinstatement in their funding plan.
In response to the backlash, Johnson introduced a revised measure on Thursday, seeking to fund the government for three months, suspend the nation’s borrowing limit until January 2027, and allocate $110 billion for disaster relief. This tailored legislation, endorsed by Trump, also incorporated health care provisions, a one-year renewal of the farm bill, and funding for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which had collapsed in March.
Despite these efforts, the second package failed to garner adequate support in the House, as it was opposed by most Democrats and over three dozen Republicans. The setback forced Johnson and GOP leaders to regroup and reconsider their strategy, with the looming threat of a government shutdown becoming increasingly imminent with each passing hour.
Mayorkas highlighted the potential ramifications of a shutdown occurring just before the holiday season, a time when millions of Americans are traveling. He specifically mentioned the impact it would have on TSA employees stationed at airports across the country, underscoring the disruption and chaos that would ensue if essential services were halted due to lack of funding.
The urgent need for bipartisan cooperation and swift action was emphasized by Mayorkas, who stressed the vital role of federal agencies in ensuring the safety and security of the nation. As the deadline approached, the fate of government funding hung in the balance, with the specter of a shutdown casting a shadow over Capitol Hill and the American public.
