Steve Scalise rips Democrats for 'playing political games' with DHS shutdown amid Iran threat
The DHS shutdown has gone on for more than 2 weeks
By Elizabeth Elkind Fox News
Published March 3, 2026 11:53am EST
EXCLUSIVE: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., is warning Democrats not to play politics with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) funding, particularly as the country is on high alert for any fallout from the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
"Put the safety and security of the American people first and stop playing political games to appease the far-left base, especially at a time like this," Scalise said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
The ongoing partial government shutdown centered on DHS, now in its 18th day, has taken on new significance in the wake of President Donald Trump's military action in Iran.
Bipartisan deals have funded 97% of the federal government through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, but divisions between Democrats and Republicans over Trump's immigration crackdown have prevented any such compromise on DHS.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/steve-scalise-rips-democrats-playing-political-games-dhs-shutdown-amid-iran-threat
