Partnership for Public Service statement marking one month since the Department of Homeland Security shut down

March 13, 2026

WASHINGTON – The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service today released the following statement from President and CEO Max Stier ahead of the one-month mark of the Department of Homeland Security’s funding lapse, triggering a shutdown of the agency’s critical operations.  

“As the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security passes the one-month mark, the American public are feeling the real and significant impacts of this shutdown – from longer lines at the airport to delays in disaster recovery efforts.  

“While the policy debate underlying the DHS shutdown is valid and important, hardworking public servants are once again collateral damage in a political fight. About 90% of DHS employees remain on the job during this shutdown, and many of them, including Transportation Security Administration agents, will miss their first full paycheck today. This is cruel and unnecessary, and it should be fixed as soon as possible. 

“Both sides bear responsibility for letting government shutdowns become a recurring feature in our political system, but we can at least avoid inflicting harm on federal employees who do not deserve it. Congress should pass legislation like the bills recently introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) to allow impacted DHS employees to be paid during this shutdown, and to prevent missed paychecks for federal employees during any future shutdowns.”  

During the past 25 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We work across administrations to help transform the way government works by providing agencies with the data insights they need to succeed, developing effective leaders, inspiring the next generation to public service, facilitating smooth presidential transitions and recognizing exceptional federal employees.      

Visit ourpublicservice.org, follow us @PublicService and subscribe today to get the latest federal news, information on upcoming Partnership programs and events, and more.        

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