The White House has warned lawmakers that funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is nearing depletion, threatening potential disruptions to airport security and other critical operations if Congress fails to act promptly.
In a memo sent late Tuesday, the Office of Management and Budget cautioned that stopgap funding measures used to cover payroll for agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) could be exhausted as early as May. The administration urged the House of Representatives to expedite passage of a budget resolution already approved by the Senate, describing the situation as increasingly urgent.
“DHS will soon run out of critical operating funds, placing essential personnel and operations at risk,” the memo stated.
The warning comes amid growing internal divisions in the House that have stalled progress on legislation aimed at restoring full funding to the department. Speaker Mike Johnson is navigating disagreements within his narrow Republican majority, leaving the chamber largely inactive on key issues, including the Homeland Security budget.
Lawmakers are expected to take up the Senate-passed budget framework as soon as Wednesday. The administration has cautioned against revisions that could delay the process, emphasizing the need for swift action.
The funding gap has already stretched beyond two months, marking the longest lapse in funding for the department. The standoff began after Democrats declined to support funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol without policy changes tied to enforcement practices.
While some immigration-related operations have continued using previously approved funds, other parts of the department—including TSA—have relied on temporary executive actions to maintain payroll. According to DHS officials, those resources are rapidly depleting, with personnel costs exceeding $1.6 billion every two weeks.
The administration also cited recent security concerns to underscore urgency, referencing an incident over the weekend in which an armed individual attempted to breach a high-profile event attended by senior government leaders.
Republicans in Congress are pursuing a budget strategy that would allow them to approve funding for immigration enforcement without Democratic support. This multi-step legislative process could take several weeks to complete.
In the meantime, House leadership is also considering separate legislation to fund other DHS components, including the Coast Guard and TSA. A bipartisan version of that measure cleared the Senate last month but has yet to advance in the House due to disagreements among Republicans over its structure.
