Mario Díaz-Balart, a U.S. Congressman representing Florida’s 26th District since 2003, posted a series of tweets on March 17, 2026, criticizing the recent government shutdown and its impact on national security.
In his first tweet at 15:55 UTC, Díaz-Balart stated, “Democrats’ reckless, unnecessary shutdown, just three months after the last, has forced TSA officers to work without pay and is putting national security at risk at airports across the country. They need to stop playing political games!”
Later that day at 20:39 UTC, he addressed federal budget issues with a metaphor referencing St. Patrick’s Day: ‘”There may be three leaves on a shamrock, but in the U.S. budget, there are just two pots of gold.” Mandatory vs. Discretionary spending Only one is debated, marked up, and funded each year. Proud to serve on @HouseAppropsGOP, working to ensure discretionary spending is’
At 20:47 UTC on the same day, Díaz-Balart focused again on national security concerns related to the shutdown: “DHS’s purpose is to make America safe. Democrats caused this shutdown, yet again, forcing DHS personnel to work without pay and putting our national security at risk. Funding DHS is about the safety and security of Americans from ALL threats.”
Díaz-Balart has served in Congress for over two decades and previously held positions in both chambers of Florida’s state legislature from 1988 through 2000. Born in Fort Lauderdale in 1961 and currently residing in Miami at age 61, he holds a BA from the University of South Florida.
