Lawmakers Push GAO to Audit CISA Workforce Cuts Amid Escalating Cyber Threats
House Democrats have called on the Government Accountability Office to investigate how deep workforce cuts at CISA impact federal network defense and critical infrastructure protection. The inquiry comes as CISA grapples with a one-third staffing reduction amid rising state-sponsored cyber threats.
Five House Democrats, led by Rep. James Walkinshaw and House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie Thompson, have requested a formal Government Accountability Office (GAO) review into personnel and program reductions at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Over the past year, CISA's workforce contracted by nearly one-third—dropping from approximately 3,300 to 2,200 employees—driven by administration-wide workforce reduction initiatives, internal DHS reassignments, and voluntary departures. Lawmakers argue these cuts leave Congress without clear visibility into lost operational capabilities at a critical juncture.
The congressional request coincides with heightened cyber threat activity, including Iranian-linked cyber intrusions targeting industrial control systems and water utilities across at least 12 states. CISA Acting Director Nick Andersen indicated plans to hire approximately 330 personnel, while Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin estimated the agency may require 600 additional staff—a process expected to take a year or longer. Rebuilding capacity is further complicated by proposed fiscal year 2027 budget cuts targeting another 870 positions across election security, stakeholder engagement, and workforce development, though House appropriators recently advanced legislation adding $400 million above the White House request for critical hiring.
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