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How much does the Homeland Security shutdown matter to the public?

Political Theater, Episode 403

Spring is in the air, and Congress is in recess — despite a partial government shutdown of the Homeland Security Department.
Spring is in the air, and Congress is in recess — despite a partial government shutdown of the Homeland Security Department. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)
By Jason Dick and Jessica Wehrman
Posted April 2, 2026 at 11:25am

Jason Dick and Jessica Wehrman wonder what members of Congress are doing on their two-week recess, coming as it does while the Homeland Security Department isn’t being funded by Congress, as well as what they did, and observed, on recent trips back home to Arizona and Ohio, respectively.

Show Notes:

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