As the government shutdown enters its 36th day, former public safety officials turned House Republicans are escalating their warnings to Senate Democrats, accusing them of endangering national security and public safety through prolonged fiscal brinkmanship. Rep. Brad Knott, R-N.C., and 10 other lawmakers penned a letter to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., accusing Democrats of using government funding as political leverage and calling the shutdown ‘the longest such fiscal standoff in U.S. history.’
The letter, signed by Republican lawmakers who previously served in law enforcement, criminal justice, and public safety roles, emphasizes that the shutdown’s impact is already being felt by those sworn to protect Americans. Some workers are now relying on food banks, taking out loans to cover bills, and even seeking part-time employment, all due to the Democratic Party’s reluctance to fast-track funding to resolve the impasse.
The shutdown has also forced key federal agencies to operate with limited resources. The letter warns of dire consequences for agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which face reduced preparedness for critical missions such as air travel security and fentanyl trafficking. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is being funded by the Trump administration’s One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which is expected to cover a significant number of law enforcement officers, but civilian support staff remain unpaid, creating a fragmented workforce under strain.
Meanwhile, the U.S. court system has also been affected, with federal employees classified as performing ‘excepted work’ continuing to operate without pay, while others are placed on furlough. The lack of funding has already caused delays and groundstops at airports, as TSA agents and air traffic controllers are unable to be paid during the lapse. The situation underscores the urgency for Congress to resolve the funding dispute and prevent further destabilization of essential services and public safety.
Despite the growing concerns, no immediate response has been received from Schumer’s office, leaving the crisis to continue as the nation’s critical infrastructure and public services face mounting pressure under the weight of political gridlock.