Mackenzie urges end to DHS shutdown as LVIA workers survive on donated food and missed paychecks

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. — As a partial government shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security entered its 36th day, U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R) introduced a non-binding resolution this week urging Congress to pass the agency’s full-year budget without further delay.

The measure carries no legislative force on its own but reflects growing pressure from Mackenzie, who represents the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos, to break a stalemate that has left tens of thousands of federal workers without pay and snarled airports across the country.

The resolution calls on Congress to pass full-year funding for DHS rather than temporary extensions or partial appropriations, which Mackenzie said weaken the agency’s ability to operate during what he described as a heightened threat environment.

Homeland Security funding expired Feb. 14, triggering a partial shutdown affecting only that department while the rest of the federal government remains funded. The Senate has voted five times on funding proposals without reaching an agreement, and Senate leaders have warned that lawmakers may remain in session through the planned Easter recess if a deal is not reached by the end of next week.

The Department of Homeland Security oversees several federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Secret Service. During the funding lapse, many employees at those agencies have continued working without pay because their roles are considered essential.

The shutdown has not affected all enforcement agencies equally. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement remains funded under a separate appropriation, while the impact has fallen more heavily on TSA officers, the U.S. Coast Guard, FEMA personnel and other DHS employees.

At Lehigh Valley International Airport on Thursday, TSA workers participated in a “Fill the Bus” donation drive, collecting more than 20 carts of food and household supplies for employees who have been working without a paycheck since January, according to airport officials — their third funding lapse in six months.

Airport officials said security checkpoints remained fully staffed, with wait times averaging about three minutes despite the shutdown.

Lawmakers have been deadlocked for weeks over how much money should go toward immigration enforcement and what restrictions should be placed on federal agents, with negotiations focusing heavily on ICE policies.

Current proposals in Congress would provide tens of billions of dollars for DHS overall, including billions for border and immigration enforcement, but the spending bill has stalled amid disputes over immigration policy and oversight requirements.

Mackenzie said full funding is necessary to keep immigration enforcement, border security and counterterrorism operations functioning without disruption.

“Partisanship from the far left has put politics ahead of our national security and stripped frontline workers of their paychecks,” Mackenzie said. “At a time of heightened risk to our national security, it’s critical that our nation’s security apparatus is fully operational. We need to pass full DHS funding now, alongside commonsense ICE reforms, like those already included in the appropriations package, to keep our country safe and secure.”

In his resolution, Mackenzie cited several recent incidents as examples of ongoing threats, including a March 1 shooting in Austin, a March 7 ISIS-linked bomb plot in New York City and a March 12 attack on a synagogue in Michigan, arguing that DHS must be fully funded to respond to evolving security risks.

His resolution also warns against funding individual DHS agencies separately, saying doing so could weaken coordination between federal law enforcement, emergency response and intelligence operations.

Support for ICE reforms

During a telephone town hall earlier this month, Mackenzie said he supports continued funding for ICE operations while also backing limited reforms in response to recent controversies involving federal immigration enforcement.

A caller asked what Congress is doing to prevent violent enforcement incidents like the confrontation in Minneapolis that led to the death of Alex Pretti, thousands of arrests and widespread unrest.

Mackenzie called the killing a tragedy and said he supports requiring body cameras for agents, expanded de-escalation training and more transparency about arrests and use of force.

He said he continues to support deportation efforts targeting immigrants in the country illegally who have committed crimes and said Congress should not cut funding to ICE.

The Minneapolis incident has become a central point in the budget standoff. Democratic negotiators and the White House have proposed requiring body cameras for agents and limiting enforcement actions near schools and hospitals, but talks have stalled over Republican opposition to restrictions on mask use and warrant requirements in some operations. Bipartisan negotiations are ongoing.

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman has been the only Democrat to vote in favor of recent funding proposals, breaking with most members of his party as the stalemate continues.

Debate over ICE presence in the Lehigh Valley

The funding fight comes as federal immigration enforcement has also become a political issue in the Lehigh Valley.

Earlier this year, Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel ordered the eviction of a Homeland Security Investigations office from county-owned space in downtown Allentown after officials said the federal agency had used the building for years without paying rent.

Homeland Security Investigations, a division of ICE, works with local prosecutors on cases involving human trafficking, drug trafficking and other serious crimes.

Mackenzie criticized the eviction effort at the time, saying local officials were interfering with law enforcement work. Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said the federal partnership is important for criminal investigations. Siegel’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Mackenzie’s resolution does not change funding on its own but urges congressional leaders to bring a full DHS appropriations bill to the floor and approve it without further delay.