Johnson Introduces Bill Requiring DHS to Maintain Communication with Congressional Offices During Shutdowns

WASHINGTON, DC - As the Department of Homeland Security remains unfunded, Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-32) announced the introduction of the DHS Oversight and Accountability Act to ensure that Americans and congressional offices can continue to access critical oversight and constituent services from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), even during a government shutdown.

"I visited ICE's Dallas Field Office to demand answers for my constituent, Mohammed Nazeer Paktiawal, who tragically died in ICE custody this past weekend. While I was able to enter the facility and obtain some information, many other Members of Congress have faced barriers to fulfilling their oversight responsibilities, blocked by a Department that refuses to provide basic transparency," said Johnson. "I have had numerous constituents reach out to my office who have been unable to locate family members or secure medical treatments for those held in detention, all while Members of Congress continue to receive inconsistent responses from this administration regarding the scope of their oversight authority and the role of the agency during a lapse in funding. My DHS Oversight and Accountability Act ensures that Congress and the American people can continue to communicate with their government and get the answers they need even during a government shutdown."

The legislation requires DHS to maintain communication with congressional offices despite a government shutdown. DHS has been shut down since February 14, 2026, due to a lapse in federal funding. Johnson's bill seeks to clarify the authority of Members of Congress and their staff to conduct oversight and support their constituents while DHS is shut down.

To read the full text of the legislation, click here.

Congresswoman Julie Johnson represents Texas's 32nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, serving on the Homeland Security Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Administration Committee. Her district includes parts of Collin, Dallas, and Denton Counties.

###