Sen. Fetterman warned that a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is increasingly likely because Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked over funding and spending reforms. Fetterman said he “absolutely” expects DHS funding to expire without a deal this week, even as he argued lawmakers should find common ground on border security and other priorities.
Fetterman made the comments on “Sunday Morning Futures,” breaking ranks with many in his own party who have opposed GOP-led proposals to fund DHS and related agencies. The senator has supported stronger border enforcement and voter ID rules — positions that align more with conservative priorities than with current Democratic leadership.
While Fetterman said he does not want a government shutdown, he acknowledged the likelihood because of ongoing partisan disputes over spending bills and rider demands, particularly around immigration policy. If DHS funding lapses — set to occur when it is carved out of a larger appropriations package — core functions such as TSA screening, FEMA operations, and border security could be disrupted.
This warning comes amid an ongoing partial government shutdown, triggered when Senate Democrats failed to pass a funding agreement that included DHS in January 2026. Some Democrats rejected Republican-backed packages and pressed for policy changes Democrats wanted to attach to funding bills.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed confidence that the shutdown could be brief, but he has also stressed that Democrats’ demands on immigration and other policy riders will have to be addressed for a long-term funding deal.
Conservative leaders have echoed calls for clean continuing resolutions to keep the government open, contrasting that approach with Democrats’ push for expanded spending and policy concessions that critics say amount to hostage politics. The stakes include not just DHS operations, but broader federal services and economic confidence.
Fetterman’s stance marks a notable split within his party. His calls for prioritizing public safety and border control over strict party adherence reflect pressure from voters concerned about enforcement and illegal immigration.
