general
Day 41: Senate deadlocked as DHS shutdown snarls air travel
Lawmakers remain split after a GOP offer to fund DHS except ICE stalled, as record TSA delays and staff losses escalate pressure ahead of another Senate procedural vote.
Mar 26th 2026 ยท United States
Insights
- Senate failed to advance a DHS funding measure for the sixth time and will vote again Thursday to try to break the impasse.
- Republicans proposed funding all of DHS except ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, prompting Democrats to demand ICE reforms after recent deadly shootings.
- President Trump urged ending the filibuster and tying the SAVE America Act to DHS funding, while GOP leaders say there is not enough support to abolish the filibuster.
- Airports are experiencing the highest TSA wait times in agency history and more than 480 TSA officers have quit since the partial shutdown began.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune said a short term funding measure is possible and that senators may stay in town despite a planned two week recess next week.
- Only one Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman, voted with Republicans to advance the measure, highlighting how narrow any bipartisan path forward would be.
Sources
- A security warning, buried: How a classified TSA report stalled inside DHS www.cbsnews.com
- Homeland Security Talks Hit Snag as Democrats Demand ICE Restrictions www.nytimes.com
- Senate searches for end to DHS shutdown after deal stalls www.cbsnews.com
- Lawmakers remain at odds over DHS funding. Here's what's in their latest proposals. www.cbsnews.com
- TSA lines are still growing as Democrats reject Republican attempt to end shutdown www.cbsnews.com