Leavitt calls on Congress to end Easter recess to work on DHS shutdown

The White House is calling on Congress to return from Easter recess to pass funding to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, arguing the standoff has disrupted TSA operations and airport travel nationwide.

“Nothing will be truly normal again until Democrats do the right thing to fund this agency fully again,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at Monday’s daily press briefing. “The president has stepped in – in the meantime to do what’s right to end this crisis that we’ve had at air travel, at airports across the country in the meantime. 

“But again, Congress needs to come back. Democrats need to fund the Department of Homeland Security so we can formally and fully get these great employees paid long into the future.”

The funding impasse has stretched beyond six weeks, with reports of major TSA staffing shortages, long security lines, and the deployment of ICE personnel to assist at some airports.

TOM COTTON SLAMS DEMOCRATS’ ‘TEMPER TANTRUM’ FOR FUELING TSA CHAOS AMID FUNDING FIGHT

White House press secretary shared President Donald Trump’s offer to host an Easter dinner at the White House if the Senate returns from recess to restore DHS funding on hold due to the government shutdown. (Alex Wong)

Congress left Washington without a final deal after negotiations over DHS funding and immigration provisions stalled. Both parties have traded blame as travel disruptions and pressure from unions and aviation officials continue to grow.

President Donald Trump has “said it repeatedly” that the Senate cannot justify being on vacation while DHS is left unfunded through Easter.

“I think you recall, he said that he’ll host a big Easter dinner here at the White House if Congress will come back and fight the Democrats on this issue, which we should do, because, again, the Democrat Party is in the wrong here,” Leavitt concluded at the end briefing. “They have voted seven times against funding the Department of Homeland Security, which is completely egregious with everything we have going on in the world – and these brave men and women who serve DHS deserve to get their paychecks. 

Travelers experienced extensive wait times Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (left, middle) and Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (right) due to the partial government shutdown. (WVUE)

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“The president wants to see that happen, and he wants Congress to come back to get it done.”

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