March 4, 2026 — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will testify Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee, marking the second day of her Capitol Hill appearances after a contentious Senate hearing the day before that drew sharp criticism from Democrats and two Republican senators.
Much of the Department of Homeland Security remains effectively closed amid a funding impasse that began Feb. 14. The partial shutdown has affected agencies overseen by DHS, including ICE, CBP, FEMA, the Transportation Security Administration and the Coast Guard. Many employees who continue to work have begun missing paychecks. House leaders say they will hold a vote later this week on a proposal to fund the department, but Democrats have shown little willingness to shift their position; a similar measure failed in the Senate last week.
Immigration enforcement operations have continued to be funded despite the DHS lapse because ICE and CBP received additional money under last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Noem has accused Senate Democrats of holding the department hostage, calling the stalemate reckless and unnecessary and saying the impasse harms DHS workers and their families.
At Tuesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, senators pressed Noem about recent events in Minneapolis, including the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents, and about her public remarks linking those deaths to domestic terrorism. Democrats repeatedly sought apologies; Noem declined to apologize while expressing condolences and saying she would continue to provide what she described as factual information.
Two Republican senators also voiced strong criticism. Sen. John Kennedy questioned the decision to spend millions on television advertisements that prominently feature the DHS secretary. Sen. Thom Tillis delivered a forceful assessment of leadership under Noem, calling it a disaster and warning he could block administration nominees and delay Senate business until Noem answers his questions and cooperates with investigations.
The administration has taken steps to reduce tensions in Minneapolis since the January surge of agents and began winding down the ICE surge last month. As Noem prepares to testify before the House Judiciary Committee at 10 a.m., Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison are scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. before the House Oversight Committee for a separate hearing on Minnesota matters, including alleged fraud and the state response to the surge.