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House Republicans are targeting vulnerable districts during the 2026 midterms over the Department of Homeland Security shutdown and the Transportation Administration’s security crisis.
“House Democrats have shut down Homeland Security while the TSA works for free and Americans sit in security lines that last for hours,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella said in a statement Monday, announcing the Democrats’ targeting of the 28 states most affected by TSA security screening delays.
The NRCC has launched a paid ad campaign, targeting Democrats who accuse them of shutting down DHS and forcing TSA agents to work without pay as travelers face long security lines.
“Democrats are being blamed by the American people for the ongoing tragedy at our airports and other places of travel and beyond,” President Donald Trump told Monday’s conference on crime in Memphis, Tennessee.
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“And we want the public to know that we will not get them out of this trap they have made for themselves.”
The ad focused on the NRCC airport campaign targeted a list of battleground states with open seats throughout California, Florida, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
This target comes as Trump has sent Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to airports with long TSA security lines that have forced Americans to arrive to check in five hours in advance or risk missing their flights on the first weekend of spring travel — one of the busiest times of the year.
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“We’re not going to let the Democrats destroy our country,” Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One Monday morning in West Palm Beach, Florida. “These people are the most destructive sick people, the Democrats.”
Airports in the Northeast were also hit by the closure of LaGuardia Airport in New York City, where an Air Canada plane crashed trying to avoid a Port Authority Police Department fire truck that was opened to cross the runway as the plane landed.
The LaGuardia standoff forced travelers to go to other airports in New York City and New Jersey, leading to cancellations and delays across the country that depend on the availability of those grounded jets.
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ICE agents arrive at JFK Airport in New York City, NY, Monday, March 23, 2026. The agents were brought in to assist TSA agents amid staffing shortages due to the government shutdown. (David Dee Delgado of Fox News Digital)
“Additionally, after the shocking lines and massive disruptions at major airports across the country last weekend, I also want Democrats in Congress to immediately end their disgraceful shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security and restore full funding for airport security and the TSA,” Trump said at the Memphis event.
“They held it because they want to take care of illegal immigrants entering our country. They want to take care of criminals in safe cities.”
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On the proverbial political tarmac, House Republicans held on to a slim 217-214 majority. That number includes one newly appointed independent – Rep. Kevin Kiley, Calif., who vowed to continue the caucus with Republicans.
There are three pending vacancies to be filled after the resignation of former Rep. Mikie Sherrill, DN.J., and Marjorie Taylor Greene-R-Ga., and the death of Jan. 6 of the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif.
