Senate Approves Funding for Most of DHS, Moving to End Airport Crisis
The measure, approved by Democrats and Republicans in the early hours of Friday, now heads to the House
- The Senate agreed early Friday to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, excluding ICE and Border Patrol.
- President Trump said he would sign an executive order to temporarily pay TSA workers, calling it an “emergency situation.”
- The Senate action followed Democrats rejecting prior DHS funding over immigration enforcement tactics; Trump’s order faces potential court challenges.
WASHINGTON—Senate Republicans and Democrats agreed early Friday to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, moving to end a standoff over immigration enforcement in Congress that had led to missed paychecks for airport security workers and long lines for travelers.
Shortly after 2 a.m., senators agreed by unanimous consent to approve legislation to fund all of DHS through the end of the fiscal year—except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol. The measure would provide funding for an assortment of programs, including the Transportation Security Administration, the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The legislation, which didn’t include any changes to immigration enforcement policies, now must be passed by the House, which was expected to act quickly later Friday.
The Senate action came hours after President Trump said he would sign an executive order to free up money to pay TSA workers. Trump said he was instructing Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin to pay TSA agents to address what he called an “emergency situation.” Many unpaid security workers have been calling in sick while others have quit, driving delays for airline passengers headed on spring break.
Democrats rejected funding for DHS last month as they sought to block money for ICE and impose tighter rules on immigration-enforcement tactics, such as requiring agents not to wear masks and to obtain judicial warrants before forcing entry into a home.
Senate Republicans and Democrats had worked into the night to reach a deal to fund DHS, aiming to pass legislation before leaving Capitol Hill for a two-week Easter recess. Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate, but advancing legislation typically requires 60 votes in the chamber.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.) told reporters late Thursday that Trump’s order to pay TSA agents takes “the immediate pressure off” but was a “short-term solution.” Later, he offered the unanimous consent resolution to pass most of the DHS funding after both parties agreed to move forward. No senator objected and the bill passed.
Republicans had already pumped tens of billions of dollars into ICE and border patrol in Trump’s tax package last year, money that will cushion the programs against any cuts to fiscal 2026 spending stemming from the current dispute. Senate Republicans are now expected to try to pass the immigration-enforcement funding through a process called budget reconciliation, which would allow them to pass it with a simple majority.
“We will have other options to get the rest of it done,” Thune said. He said Democrats got “zero reforms” due to the way the fight played out.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said he would continue to seek changes to immigration enforcement practices.
“I’m very proud of my caucus,” he told reporters. “My caucus didn’t budge.” He said that Democrats would “fight hard for reforms” and “there will be opportunities.”
After DHS funding lapsed on Feb. 14 and the standoff intensified, Republicans had searched for other ways to fund DHS and pay TSA agents. Republicans said that the Trump administration had already made administrative changes aimed at satisfying Democratic demands, as well as removing Kristi Noem as DHS secretary, following the deaths of two people in encounters with immigration officials in Minnesota.
Democrats for their part argued that Republicans were ignoring their demands for policy changes. They had also put forward measures just funding TSA, which had been blocked by Republicans.
Last week, White House officials said the administration would expand the use of body cameras and limit enforcement activities at sensitive places such as hospitals and schools, and require that officers clearly identify themselves. The officials also pledged to comply with oversight laws, including congressional oversight of detention facilities.