Looming government shutdown threatens service members, FEMA, TSA amid ICE impasse

The country’s airlines and military members could once again take the brunt of a government shutdown as lawmakers advanced a plan on Friday that looks set to put the government on the path to a shutdown come Feb. 1.

Lawmakers in the Senate struck a deal on Friday to advance funding for the departments of Defense, Education, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Health and Human Services while passing a short-term extension for the Department of Homeland Security, the piece of the puzzle holding up funding for 2026.

Despite looking poised to clear the Senate, the package must also re-pass the House of Representatives to become law. The House isn't scheduled to return to Washington, D.C. until Monday, all but guaranteeing at least one day of a shutdown.

That timeline could go longer if the House rejects the legislation. 

The moment is a repeat of the shutdown in October that went for 43 days over Democrat healthcare demands. But this time, the payment crunch will be narrower.

While employees in the Legislative Branch, the Justice Department, Department of the Interior and more can expect to continue receiving paychecks, the Defense bill's failure still threatens the paychecks of service members. 

"Too often, our hardworking men and women — particularly those in the Armed Forces — have had their livelihoods held hostage by political shenanigans in the Congress because of disagreements on unrelated issues," Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., a member of the Armed Services Committee, said Thursday.

His thoughts were echoed by Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., another committee member.

"Our service members have already endured a Schumer-manufactured government shutdown and should not be put through another one," Scott said.

Like in the last shutdown, the funding gridlock also threatens airport employees who work for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), included as a part of the DHS package. In October, several weeks without paychecks forced flight delays and cancellations as employees needed to ensure flight safety — like air traffic controllers — began looking for side jobs and alternative sources of revenue.

Repeated travel delays are of special concern to Rep. Nick Begich, R-Alaska, who said his constituents could be especially hurt in a season when the state depends especially on imports.

"Our state depends on aviation for nearly everything, and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is one of the busiest cargo airports in the world. A breakdown anywhere in the system due to a government shutdown could mean a family in Utqiaġvik missing a critical medical appointment in Anchorage, or food and cargo deliveries being delayed for days in remote communities," Begich said. 

"Disruptions caused by a shutdown and short staffing raise real safety concerns in Alaska, especially during the winter months," he added.

On top of transportation and military pay, a second shutdown could also hit the Medicaid and Medicare government services. Because of funding at risk in the HHS bill, the country could experience a similar bottleneck to healthcare access for people with low incomes, disabilities and the elderly. 

Asked about those potential shutdown areas, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said voters should take note.

"I think people should be weighing the consequences of the administration," Reed said.

DEMS' DHS SHUTDOWN THREAT WOULD HIT FEMA, TSA WHILE IMMIGRATION FUNDING REMAINS INTACT

The Department of War declined to comment on when service members would receive their next paycheck or whether they thought it could be at risk of being delivered on time.

The DHS portion of the bill set off the possibility of a shutdown earlier this month when Democrats balked at the exclusion of key demands regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an agency that operates under DHS.

KEY SENATOR WON'T FUND DHS AS ICE, FEDERAL AGENTS ENTER HIS STATE

In the wake of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti earlier this month — the second deadly clash between immigration authorities and civilians in January — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Democrats have said their support is conditional on tightening ICE’s warrant requirements, ending roving patrols, requiring ICE to partner with state and local law enforcement, a uniform code of conduct, a no mask policy, and body camera requirement.

DesJarlais said he believes Democrats can continue pressing for changes they want to see without putting parts of the government at risk.

"It should stop," DesJarlais said of the political gridlock. "There are plenty of other ways for Democrats to achieve their policy goals rather than engage in tactics simply designed to post something on their social media profiles."