Meet the Press NOW — March 27, 2026

Host: Kristen Welker (NBC News)
Date: March 27, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Meet the Press NOW centers on two major crises gripping the nation: the escalating partial government shutdown with direct impacts on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and TSA, and the growing war with Iran, which is sending shockwaves through global oil markets and financial institutions. Host Kristen Welker leads an in-depth discussion with NBC News correspondents, lawmakers, and experts, unpacking the ongoing political stalemate in Washington and the global economic fallout triggered by the conflict in Iran.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Government Shutdown and TSA Crisis

[01:13–09:44]

• The shutdown persists due to deep divides between House Republicans and Senate Democrats over DHS funding, especially funding for ICE and Border Patrol.
• President Trump issued an executive order to unilaterally fund TSA, bypassing Congress amid political deadlock.

Congressional Stalemate and Strategies

• Speaker Mike Johnson (R): Promotes a House bill funding all of DHS for 60 days, including ICE and Border Patrol, dismissing the Senate compromise as inadequate.

  "This gambit that was done last night is a joke. We're going to put a clean, simple continuing resolution..." — Speaker Mike Johnson [02:33]

• House Conservatives: Express outrage the Senate would "not fund border patrol and the core components of ICE," viewing the Senate plan as unacceptable "laziness." [03:19]
• Democrats: Unwilling to support the House plan, calling it “dead on arrival” in the Senate. They support a funding bill excluding ICE and CBP.
• TSA officers face extreme hardship: 30% callout rates at five major airports, stories of selling plasma to get by, and over 500 resignations.

NBC Reporters' Insights

• Ryan Nobles (Capitol Hill): Reports terminal gridlock and finger-pointing, with no foreseeable compromise:

  "Americans are outraged by the finger pointing. They want this crisis to come to an end..." — Kristen Welker [07:32]

• Monica Alba (White House): Explains the logistics of Trump’s executive order to pay TSA via unspent funds from last year’s omnibus ("one big beautiful bill"). Raises questions about the timing and potential legal challenges.

  "If they had this in their power to pay the TSA workers again unilaterally...why didn't they do that sooner?" — Monica Alba [09:44 & 11:36]

• Julia Ainsley (Homeland Security): Reminds viewers funding TSA solves just a fraction of the problem; other critical DHS functions (FEMA, Coast Guard, cybersecurity) remain unpaid.

  "...funding TSA does not end this problem." — Julia Ainsley [12:59]

• Aaron Gilchrist (Atlanta Airport): On-the-ground reporting from Hartsfield-Jackson, relays despair among TSA staff and uncertainty about returning to work even if pay resumes.

  "I usually have 18 people working for me...some days I have two, sometimes I have three..." — TSA Union Leader [16:14]

2. War with Iran: Impact on Oil, Economy, and Security

[19:22–25:41]

Economic Fallout

• Wall Street: Dow drops 800 points, entering correction territory; oil surges over $100/barrel.

  "This is the fifth straight week...worst losing streak that we've seen...since 2022." — Brian Chung [30:12]

• War marks one month; Trump administration claims war may end in weeks, but the situation remains volatile.

Tehran Toll Booth & Strait of Hormuz

• Iran restricts Strait of Hormuz passage, creates a de facto ‘toll booth’, charging some tankers millions of dollars.

  "The only tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz are being forced into a new route controlled by Iran..." — Raf Sanchez [21:30] “One of the immediate challenges...is an Iran that may decide that they want to set up a tolling system..." — Sen. Marco Rubio [21:03]

• Only about 10 ships (down from 110/day) are passing daily, nearly all carrying Iranian oil or incoming goods.

  "It is really not clear at all that the Iranians are letting anybody out except for their own goods..." — Raf Sanchez [24:13]

• The situation is perilous: shallow waters, possible naval mines, and chaos for the global energy supply.

International Response

• G7 supports a coalition to protect the strait but demands a ceasefire first.
• US continues to move additional troops and military assets to the region; negotiations with Iran are opaque.

  “We know very little about these alleged negotiations…What we do know is the US continues to flood, not just troops…but additional aircraft, additional supplies.” — Courtney Kuby [27:50]

• Uncertainty reigns over the fate of Carg Island and US strategy moving forward.

3. Business and Political Impacts

[30:12–32:45]

• Brian Chung (Business Correspondent): Draws parallels to the 1970s energy crisis. Oil supply disruptions may have long-term effects, regardless of limited positive developments (e.g., a few tankers released).

4. Lawmakers’ Reactions and Political Panel

[34:43–53:21]

Interview: Rep. Adam Smith (D) — Ranking Member, Armed Services Committee

• Refuses to vote for the House GOP’s 60-day DHS funding measure; urges taking up the Senate compromise to end the shutdown.

  "We have before us a bill that Mike Johnson could bring up that would 100% support...fund TSA right now. It's done.” — Rep. Adam Smith [36:43]

• Deems Trump’s effort to pay TSA workers unilaterally illegal and only a stopgap.

  “It's illegal for him to do that... the President is not supposed to be able to just spend money wherever he wants to…” — Rep. Adam Smith [39:36]

Political Panel (Tia Mitchell, Andrew Bates, Danielle Pletka)

• General agreement the shutdown is a bipartisan embarrassment and frustration is mounting for the public.

  "We have become a performative town...This is wrong. People aren't able to travel. It's just ridiculous." — Danielle Pletka [45:52]

• Both parties blamed; the public is angry and disillusioned.
• Disagreement on prospects for an Iran ceasefire; concerns over oil and gas prices as “the only evidence of this war” experienced by most Americans.

  “The American public...say they don’t understand the end game. They are getting frustrated at the lack of information.” — Tia Mitchell [49:04]

5. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Speaker Mike Johnson on House strategy:

  "We're not playing political games on this. We encourage some of our Democrats...to stop the pain that's being forced upon these people." [02:33]

• Ryan Nobles on the effect of the shutdown:

  "People have been standing in lines three, four, five hours at a time. There’s TSA workers that are selling their plasma. At what point is a leader on either side going to stand up and say we have a path forward?" [06:04]

• Raf Sanchez on the Strait of Hormuz:

  "It’s being called the world's most dangerous toll booth...the only tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz are being forced into a new route controlled by Iran." [21:30]

• President Trump on Iran:

  "They are being decimated. They want to make a deal. Very simply, our military...greatest in the world by far." [42:51]

• Danielle Pletka (AEI) on political dysfunction:

  "This is wrong. People aren't able to travel. It's just ridiculous." [45:52]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [01:13] – Kristen Welker opens with shutdown & market update
• [02:33] – Speaker Mike Johnson's statement on House spending plan
• [03:19] – House conservatives react against the Senate bill
• [04:46] – Ryan Nobles discusses gridlock in Congress
• [07:32] – Discussion on American frustration and impacts at airports
• [09:44] – Monica Alba details President Trump’s TSA executive order
• [12:59] – Julia Ainsley contextualizes depth of DHS funding crisis
• [15:24] – On-the-ground TSA reporting from Aaron Gilchrist (Atlanta)
• [19:22] – War with Iran impact: oil, markets, negotiations
• [21:30–25:41] – Raf Sanchez deep dive: Strait of Hormuz “Tehran Toll Booth” and naval crisis
• [26:25] – G7 and international response; Courtney Kuby on military buildup
• [30:12] – Brian Chung on economic/market implications
• [34:43] – Rep. Adam Smith interview on shutdown and legality of Trump’s executive order
• [40:42] – President Trump impromptu remarks: border, ICE, Iran negotiations
• [44:36] – Panel discussion on political fallout and public outrage

Summary Table

| Segment | Main Topic | Notable Quote / Moment | Timestamp | |------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Opening & Markets | Shutdown + Economic fallout | "Dow falling roughly 800 points..." | 01:13 | | House/Senate Showdown | DHS funding, ICE, TSA crisis | "This gambit...is a joke." — Johnson | 02:33 | | TSA/Travel Impacts | Long lines, TSA officer resignations | "There’s TSA workers...selling their plasma." — Nobles | 06:04 | | Executive Order to Fund TSA | Trump's move and legal questions | "Why didn’t they do that sooner?" — Monica Alba | 11:36 | | Iran War Update | Strait of Hormuz, markets, negotiations | "World’s most dangerous toll booth." — Raf Sanchez | 21:30 | | Military/Foreign Policy | US troops, coalition, Carg Island | "They are still sending more troops in..." — Courtney Kuby | 27:50 | | Economic Impact | Oil, energy crisis | "This is the fifth straight week...worst losing streak..." — Brian Chung | 30:12 | | Congressional Interview | Rep. Adam Smith: legislative path forward | "It's illegal for him to do that..." — Smith on Trump’s TSA order | 39:36 | | Presidential Remarks | Trump on border/ICE/negotiations | "They are being decimated. They want to make a deal." — Trump | 42:51 | | Panel Commentary | Shutdown, election implications | "We have become a performative town..." — Pletka | 45:52 |

Notable Panel Quotes

• On Political Dysfunction:

  "It'll end the way all of these shutdowns end, which is embarrassment for both parties...We have become a performative town." — Danielle Pletka [45:52]

• On Public Frustration:

  "There is outrage for both parties...people are saying pox on both their houses." — Kristen Welker [46:23]

• On the War's Endgame:

  “Not only is there not clear evidence that there are negotiations going on... regular people, our biggest evidence of the war is the gas prices.” — Tia Mitchell [49:04]

Tone and Language

The episode is driven by frustration, urgency, and incredulity—both from the reporters and the officials interviewed. Kristen Welker's questioning is direct and persistent, probing for accountability. Various guests candidly admit no resolution is in sight, and panelists decry the gridlock and 'performative' nature of politics during this crisis.

Takeaways

• The partial government shutdown continues with no end in sight. House and Senate are at an impasse, directly impacting TSA workers, airport security, and national security apparatuses.
• President Trump’s executive actions to pay TSA officers are a stopgap and likely to face legal scrutiny.
• The war in Iran destabilizes global oil markets, causing economic pain, and the evolving situation in the Strait of Hormuz raises uncertainty about international shipping and energy security.
• Political dysfunction is front and center. Both parties are blamed for the impasse, with increased public outrage and little sign of imminent resolution.
• As the US marks one month at war with Iran, the conflict’s strategic aims and endgame remain unclear even to members of Congress.

For Further Viewing

“If it’s Sunday, it’s Meet the Press.” Tune in for more exclusive interviews and updates as these major stories continue to unfold.