Democratic lawmakers in Congress are raising serious concerns regarding the Trump administration’s extensive cuts to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). They are seeking clarity on how these reductions have jeopardized national cybersecurity efforts aimed at protecting federal networks and critical infrastructure across the country.

On a recent Thursday, five House Democrats reached out to Orice Williams Brown, the Acting Comptroller General of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), urging the agency to examine the staffing reductions and programmatic cuts that have afflicted CISA over the past year. This request emerges during a tumultuous period for the agency, which has entered its second year without a head officially confirmed by the Senate. Concurrently, the agency has navigated substantial funding obstacles and severe staffing declines, resulting in diminished resources compared to the agency’s operational capacity at the beginning of the administration.

The lawmakers underscored that “Little is known about the impact of these workforce reductions on CISA’s programs and services,” highlighting a lack of public disclosure regarding the agency’s strategies to hire individuals capable of addressing lost skill sets and fulfilling its mission effectively. CISA’s pressing need for qualified personnel is further exacerbated by the recent history of funding limitations.

The inquiry included four specific questions directed at GAO auditors, focusing on changes in the number and location of contractors within CISA’s workforce over the last five years. The questions also sought to elucidate how these staff reductions had influenced certain programmatic activities and what adverse effects CISA and critical infrastructure stakeholders have identified due to staffing cuts.

In their letter, the lawmakers also inquired about CISA’s planning mechanisms, particularly the data the agency collects and analyzes to ensure workforce planning aligns effectively with its priorities. They questioned whether the gathered data is employed to strategically allocate resources in response to agency needs and how consistently CISA has adapted its human capital strategy in anticipation of current and future demands.

Bennie Thompson, the Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, and Representative James Walkinshaw, who spearheaded this initiative, both emphasized the urgency of these inquiries. They were joined by Representative Delia Ramirez, the ranking member of the panel’s subcommittee on cybersecurity and infrastructure protection, as well as Representatives Seth Magaziner and LaMonica McIver, who also signed the letter.

According to the letter, nearly 1,000 personnel—about one-third of CISA’s workforce—had either departed or been removed from their positions by mid-2025. The lawmakers articulated the critical nature of CISA’s role, asserting that it collaborates with private sector entities to secure systems whose disruptions could significantly undermine national security, economic stability, and public health and safety.

They highlighted recent incidents where financial systems, hospitals, and water treatment facilities faced threats, underscoring the urgency of defending these sectors as the landscape of cyber-attacks becomes increasingly hostile.

In a response to these alarming staffing challenges, Acting CISA Director Nick Andersen revealed in March the agency’s intention to recruit over 300 new employees. This initiative seeks to rebuild its workforce and close the personnel gaps left by previous layoffs and voluntary resignations. Additionally, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has also been vocal about the department’s plans to gradually rebuild CISA’s workforce over the coming year, contingent upon the Senate’s confirmation of a new director.

Currently, Andersen serves in an acting capacity following the departure of Madhu Gottumukkala in late February. CISA has not had a confirmed director during this recent phase of the Trump administration, which has drawn additional scrutiny and critique.

The lawmakers noted a significant contradiction between CISA’s publicly stated intentions to rebuild its staffing levels and a proposed budget for fiscal year 2027, which seeks to eliminate nearly 900 additional positions from the agency. This inconsistency raises further concerns regarding the agency’s capability to fulfill its mandate effectively amidst ongoing workforce turbulence.

The operational challenges stemming from staffing instability have already impacted CISA’s daily operations. During one recent lapse in appropriations, the agency found it necessary to recall furloughed employees to ensure that critical functions such as threat hunting and incident response remained active and effective. This situation underscores the immediate need for resolution and clarity regarding CISA’s workforce planning and budgetary priorities.