San Diego congressman introduces bill to protect TSA, Coast Guard funding amid DHS shutdowns

By Abbie Black

Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) introduced legislation aimed at preventing repeated Department of Homeland Security shutdowns, as TSA workers in San Diego warned they have not recovered from three shutdowns in six months. 

Peters unveiled the Homeland Security Continuity and Accountability Act at a news conference at San Diego International Airport. The bill would allow the DHS secretary to redirect immigration enforcement funds to keep TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard and cybersecurity operations running while Congress remains deadlocked over ICE and Border Patrol reform. 

Nyrine Washington, director of strategic communications for AFGE TSA Local 1260, said roughly 80 percent of San Diego's approximately 700 TSA workers reached out to the union during the shutdown needing help with gas cards, grocery cards and loans. 

"There are a lot of single mothers here who are just trying to make it," Washington said. "I was getting emails saying I can't get to work, I need gas money, I've been threatened with disciplinary action if I don't show up." 

President Trump signed an executive order to pay TSA agents during the shutdown, but Peters said the move is temporary and could be reversed at any time. His bill would create a statutory guarantee, making payment a matter of law rather than presidential discretion. 

"ICE and CBP are very well funded from the One Big Beautiful Bill," Peters said. "They don't need any more money. What we're interested in is how we get them to behave like local police in a way that is not terrorizing your own communities." 

The Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to fund most of DHS, excluding ICE and CBP, but House Speaker Mike Johnson has not brought the bill to a floor vote. 

"Let's get this funding fight behind us," Peters said. "The Senate deal was unanimous and bipartisan. All we are asking is that Mike Johnson let us vote." 

Republicans have argued that Democrats are holding DHS funding hostage by demanding ICE and Border Patrol be held to the same accountability standards as other law enforcement agencies. 

Congress is on a two-week recess and return April 14.  

CBS 8 reached out to Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), San Diego County's only Republican congressman, for comment. He did not respond by air time.