WASHINGTON D.C. —Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), and House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) to outline how Senate Democrats’ government shutdown is undermining our national security and the frontline personnel who work every day to accomplish the Department of Homeland Security’s mission. Read Chairman Garbarino’s remarks below.

Watch his full remarks here.

“Senate Democrats’ decision to shut down this government for cheap political points lacks any common sense and is undermining the Department of Homeland Security’s core mission, as well as the people tasked with upholding it. Nearly 95 percent of DHS’s workforce is considered essential, and that’s rightfully so. But that means they’re at work right now, and they’re not getting paid. 
 
“More than 63,000 CBP personnel, including U.S. Border Patrol, are continuing their steadfast commitment to securing our borders. More than 61,000 TSA personnel are continuing their mission to protect the traveling public and keep the skies safe. More than 8,000 Secret Service personnel are still carrying out their no-fail mission to safeguard our nation’s leaders. More than 49,000 U.S. Coast Guard personnel are serving to protect our maritime borders.
 
“I am grateful that President Trump and Secretary Noem are taking steps to ensure Coast Guard personnel are getting paid just like our military during this shutdown, and I appreciate the Department’s continued work to support frontline law enforcement officers.  It is also very vital that we ensure TSA security officers are compensated, as well. Just because the government is shut down doesn’t mean people aren’t still flying. We owe all these men and women at DHS a debt of gratitude for their continued service. 
 
“But the shutdown is not just about personnel. It’s undercutting our homeland security posture. A lapse in government funding prevents DHS from moving forward with critical new investments that enable us to stay ahead of rapidly evolving threats. New contracts are put on hold, and proactive engagements with security partners are postponed. Shutdowns also disrupt the disbursement of vital grants from the Homeland Security Department to our state and local law enforcement partners. This undermines preparedness efforts and makes our communities less safe.
 
“The Democrats have allowed crucial DHS authorities to expire. One of those is the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015. Without that––90 percent of our critical infrastructure is owned by private companies––they can’t communicate with us right now. They can’t tell us when there’s a cyberattack because this lapsed. Every second we go without the ability for them to share that information makes us less safe. 
 
“The counter-drone authority has also lapsed––that was in the CR. Without this in place, agencies may not be able to swiftly take down malicious drones before they threaten U.S. airspace. There are dozens more. In short, this shutdown is making our country less safe, and I implore Senate Democrats to do the right thing and reopen the government.”

 
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