Americans should never have to wonder whether politics in Washington will put their families in danger.
Unfortunately, that is exactly what’s happening right now because of Democrats’ shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
DHS is responsible for protecting our borders, securing our airports, and supporting the men and women who keep Americans safe every day. When Democrats allowed DHS funding to lapse, they didn’t just create a political standoff in Washington – they created real consequences for families, travelers, and communities across our nation.
The effects are already visible at our nation’s airports. Because funding is stalled, Transportation Security Administration officers are working without pay, and hundreds have already quit under the financial pressure.
Security staffing shortages are leading to longer lines and delays for travelers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Even the aviation industry is sounding the alarm. CEOs from major airlines – including American, Delta, Southwest, and others – recently sent a public letter urging Congress to restore DHS funding immediately. They warned that unpaid aviation workers and staffing shortages are already disrupting travel and threatening the reliability of America’s aviation system.
This is what happens when politics comes before public safety.
Our border agents, Coast Guard, TSA officers, and other DHS personnel are essential to national security. They show up every day to protect the American people – even when Washington fails to pay them. They deserve better than to be used as leverage in partisan negotiations.
Democrats need to reopen DHS and fund the people who keep our country safe.
House Republicans have pushed to keep these critical security operations running. But Democrats have chosen political gamesmanship instead of responsible governance. House Republicans have passed legislation to fund DHS twice, and Senate Republicans, including my friend Senator Britt who is a leader in the negotiations, have brought legislation to fund DHS to the Senate floor only to have Democrats repeatedly reject it.
National security should never be a bargaining chip.
The American people expect their government to keep the country safe, protect our borders, and ensure that our transportation systems function properly. Washington should be working for them – not shutting down the department tasked with protecting them.
It is an honor to serve south Alabamians, and I will continue to work alongside President Trump and my colleagues to reopen DHS. It is time for Democrats to end the shutdown, stop playing politics with public safety, and reopen the Department of Homeland Security before the consequences grow even worse.
Barry Moore represents Alabama’s 1st Congressional District. Born and raised on a family farm in Coffee County, he is a small business owner and veteran who served in the Alabama National Guard and Reserves. He is also a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2026.
