In the wake of last weekend’s military attack on Iran, there is a renewed push for Congress to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for Fiscal Year 2026. The continuing resolution funding DHS expired on February 14, 2026.

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) referenced the need for completing this work on ABC’s “This Week” program, saying, "We need to make sure we're defending the homeland by also funding what's happening here at home."

The Senate has not approved a House-passed DHS funding bill (H.R 7147). And while the House passed a bill in February, it passed another nearly identical bill during the week of March 2. The newly passed measure includes retroactive pay for DHS workers.

FMA has called for an immediate end to the partial government shutdown, with National President Craig Carter writing, “This is an unacceptable way to treat these dedicated feds who do so much to provide for our fellow Americans. While the vast majority of DHS feds will continue working, shutdowns have lasting negative consequences for morale and engagement.”

More than 92 percent of DHS employees are continuing to work, despite the lapse in funding. And roughly 90,000 of the DHS total workforce of more than 260,000 employees are currently being paid via a $10 billion “all-purpose” fund as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill from 2025. DHS includes critical components of our nation’s security, including border patrol, the Transportation Security Administration, the Coast Guard, FEMA, and more.

FMA remains steadfastly opposed to all government shutdowns, citing the billions of dollars wasted and undue stress they inflict on all Americans. “The American people expect legislators to work across the aisle to find solutions, and the Federal Managers Association wholeheartedly agrees,” Carter wrote. “Our nation’s security and our citizens’ welfare should never be compromised.”

The Department of Homeland Security is the only agency currently unfunded for Fiscal Year 2026.