Ciscomani Warns DHS Shutdown Would Jeopardize Border Security, Cybersecurity, and Disaster Response

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Juan Ciscomani and his colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee held an oversight hearing today to discuss the negative impacts of a potential Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. DHS funding will expire on Friday, February 13 if Congress does not pass a separate appropriations bill to keep the Department funded.

"I believe strongly that shutting down the government and agencies and departments over policy disagreements is completely inappropriate and reckless," said Ciscomani. "I've never supported a shutdown and if Congress does not pass DHS funding the result will be critical services to the public, including disaster response, law enforcement, cyber security, and emergency preparedness, being delayed or suspended with increased risk across the Department."

This hearing included witnesses from:

• U.S. Coast Guard - Admiral Thomas Allan, Acting Vice Commandant
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency - Dr. Madhu Gottumukkala, Acting Director
• Transportation Security Administration - Ha Nguyen McNeill, Acting Administrator
• United States Secret Service - Matthew Quinn, Deputy Director
• Federal Emergency Management Agency - Gregg Phillips, Associate Administrator, Office of Response and Recovery

Congressman Ciscomani, Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, delivered remarks during the hearing in support of keeping our government funded and avoiding a shutdown, which you can WATCH HERE.

Ha Nguyen McNeill, Acting Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, testified:

"In addition to the grave impact on the TSA workforce, without budget certainty we are at risk of critical technology deployments being pushed even further out. A lack of adequate funding and capital investment for technology impedes our ability to give the workforce the tools it needs to do their jobs."

Gregg Phillips, Associate Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, stated:

"In emergency management, time is always the most important resource. In summary, a federal government shutdown would have far-reaching and serious consequences for FEMA's operations and for the nation's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters."

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