Illustration depicting a polluted Potomac River with fish and a crab in sewage, flames rising from FEMA and DHS signs. Text overlays urge viewers to call representatives and demand accountability.

By Michael Phillips | MDBayNews | Opinion

At a moment when federal support could—and should—be focused on disaster response, Maryland’s Democratic members of Congress joined a broader Democratic bloc in voting against advancing funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a move that helped trigger a partial shutdown of the agency that includes FEMA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other critical disaster-response functions.

The ostensible reason for that political stance was opposition to parts of federal immigration enforcement operations, with Democratic leaders insisting that DHS funding should be tied to reforms in agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

DHS Shutdown in the Midst of a Regional Environmental Emergency

At the same time, the Potomac Interceptor collapse in Montgomery County — which has spewed hundreds of millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River — demands urgent, coordinated disaster response. The Potomac is a critical water source for millions in Maryland, Virginia, and the Washington region and flows directly into the Chesapeake Bay, threatening ecosystems, drinking water, fisheries, and economies throughout the region.

But while the region grapples with one of the most serious environmental emergencies in recent memory, funding hiccups at DHS pose real risks to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operations and overall disaster readiness. FEMA plays a central role in coordinating federal support when public infrastructure fails catastrophically — as is the case now with the Potomac sewage spill.

In practical terms, the DHS funding stalemate highlights a clash between short-term political objectives and the practical needs of disaster response.

A Stain on Records? When Politics Trumps Preparedness

For Maryland’s entire Democratic congressional delegation — from Johnny Olszewski to Chris Van Hollen — the decision to align with national Democratic leadership in a vote that helped stall DHS funding will be a defining moment. Even if aimed at pressing for immigration reform, the choice came at the expense of uninterrupted support for key federal disaster and security agencies at a time when Maryland residents are directly impacted by an unfolding environmental crisis.

Here are just a few of the agencies affected by a DHS funding lapse:

FEMA — Federal Emergency Management Agency
U.S. Coast Guard — Maritime and waterway safety
TSA — Transportation Security Administration (which will have to operate without full funding)
Other DHS disaster and response units

Would Marylanders prefer these agencies fully funded and able to act with resources at the ready — particularly in the event of natural disasters, flooding, and infrastructure failures? Many will argue that public safety and ecological protection should not be collateral damage in political negotiations.

The Potomac and Chesapeake Bay Cannot Wait

Meanwhile, the Potomac River spill has already triggered health advisories, warnings to avoid contact with the water, and concerns about lasting impacts on the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This is not a hypothetical future event — it is happening right now, with real environmental and economic consequences that demand immediate coordination between federal, state, and local authorities.

A federal disaster declaration and full funding for all relevant response agencies would help:

Unlock FEMA resources for cleanup and mitigation assistance
Support Coast Guard monitoring and waterway safety
Ensure federal disaster grants and aid flow without interruption

Instead, Maryland’s Democratic delegation’s choice to block or oppose legislation that would have funded DHS — including FEMA — because of a broader political stance will be viewed by many voters as misplaced priorities.

Accountability for Maryland’s rivers, bays, and communities should come first.

Contact Your Representatives

Let them know how you feel about this decision and its consequences for both the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay:

Johnny Olszewski
Sarah Elfreth
Glenn Ivey
Steny Hoyer
April McClain Delaney
Kweisi Mfume
Jamie Raskin
Angela Alsobrooks
Chris Van Hollen

If you believe federal disaster readiness should not be jeopardized during an environmental emergency, you can contact Maryland’s congressional delegation directly.