‘We’ve Got One Payroll Left’: DHS Cash Crisis Is Closer Than You Think

Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned Tuesday that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will run out of emergency cash by May, and said that Democrats must either agree to fund the department or explain why they want “open borders.”

President Donald Trump earlier approved emergency funds from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to pay Homeland Security personnel. More than two months into the DHS shutdown, that money is nearly gone.

“But that money is dried up if I continue down this path the first week of May,” Mullin said on Fox & Friends Tuesday.

MULLIN says DHS will run out of emergency cash to pay his workforce at the end of April

“There’s no more money.” pic.twitter.com/KYdXI8Algt

— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) April 21, 2026

DHS is shelling out more than $1.6 billion to pay its workforce every two weeks, the new secretary said, adding, “so the money is going extremely fast.”

“After we get through April, which I got two more weeks,” Mullin said. “I’ve got one payroll left, and there is no emergency funds, so the president can’t do another executive order for us to use money because there’s no more money there.”

Roughly two-thirds of DHS employees are furloughed, according to Mullin.

The Senate is expected to vote as early as this week on a budget blueprint for a reconciliation package to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). However, Republicans and Democrats have yet to reach a final agreement on a long-term funding solution.

“What the Democrats need to do is explain to the American people why they want open borders and why they don’t want to deport these illegals that are truly running our cities and running our streets. And at some point, they need to be held accountable because they’re putting the homeland at risk … because our adversaries are taking advantage of the weakness,” he said.

Senate Republicans, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), are pushing for a funding package that would extend ICE and CBP funding into the next decade, while also including defense spending, according to The Hill.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has advocated for a “skinny” funding package that is more likely to pass both chambers, the outlet reported.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) has advocated for a “tight” bill, according to The Hill.

“Why are we trying to make this more difficult? In fact, if you’ve got a really great set of ideas, then convince Sen. Graham to create another reconciliation vehicle, and we can do it after we dispense with the matter at hand,” he said.