White House warns DHS funding will soon run out, risking security

The White House has issued a warning to Congress that funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel will "soon run out," which could lead to airport disruptions and national security concerns. In a memo to lawmakers, the Office of Management and Budget stated that funds for TSA and other workers would be exhausted by May. The memo emphasized that "DHS will soon run out of critical operating funds, placing essential personnel and operations at risk."

This situation arises as the House has been slow to act on legislation to end the longest-ever lapse in DHS funding. House Speaker Mike Johnson faces pressure from the Trump administration to expedite the budget resolution approved by the Senate, which would facilitate full funding for the department. However, internal disputes within the narrow Republican majority have stalled progress, leading to a standstill in the House.

The urgency of the funding crisis is underscored by a recent incident where a man attempted to storm the White House correspondents' dinner, highlighting vulnerabilities in national security. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin noted that salaries for DHS personnel exceed $1.6 billion every two weeks, and with over 1,000 TSA officers quitting since the shutdown began, the need for stable funding is increasingly critical. Airlines for America has called on Congress to fully fund the agency, stating, "The urgency to provide predictable and stable funding for TSA is growing stronger by the day."

The House is expected to vote on the Senate's budget resolution soon, which is essential to unlock a multi-step process for funding DHS. However, the administration has warned GOP lawmakers against making changes that could delay passage. The House's next steps will determine the timeline for restoring funding to DHS and ensuring the continuity of airport security operations.

What to watch: The House vote on the Senate budget resolution is expected soon, which will be crucial for DHS funding.