The Senate has voted to reopen much of the Department of Homeland Security after a 42-day standoff, passing a funding package that keeps essential agencies like TSA, the Coast Guard, and FEMA operational, but notably excludes new funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol.
The bill is now headed to the House for consideration.
This partial shutdown significantly affected both the workforce and travelers. Thousands of DHS employees either worked without pay or chose to resign. As a result, airports experienced long security lines during spring break due to a drastic reduction in TSA staffing.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer took a firm stance, stating, “Democrats held firm in our opposition that Donald Trump’s rogue and deadly militia should not get more funding without serious reforms, and we will continue to fight for those reforms.” He expressed pride in the unity of Senate Democrats during this time.
On the other hand, Senate Majority Leader John Thune criticized Democrats, asserting they made no genuine effort to negotiate a comprehensive funding solution.
“We could have passed a funding bill with reforms if Democrats had shown even the smallest willingness to engage,” Thune stated on Friday. “It has become evident that they preferred to maintain an issue rather than resolve it.”
Ultimately, the final agreement reflects the concerns conservatives voiced: while essential services remained funded, key immigration enforcement issues were pushed to the back burner.
ICE operations have largely relied on approximately $75 billion previously allocated under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, leaving other components of DHS scrambling as workers were compelled to stay on duty without pay.
🚨 BREAKING: The Senate has LEFT TOWN after funding TSA and DHS, except for ICE and CBP
No SAVE America Act either.
The funding bill now falls on the HOUSE, then it must be signed by President Trump
ICE MUST BE FUNDED! pic.twitter.com/u1qjuhy9u7
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 27, 2026
During a hearing, TSA Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeil warned lawmakers about the escalating strain on the system, noting staff absences reaching 40% at certain airports and over 480 TSA officers resigning during the shutdown.
“We are very concerned about our security posture and the potential long-term consequences of this shutdown on our workforce and mission efficacy,” McNeil remarked.
In discussions, Thune indicated Republicans had made a last-ditch offer to Democrats to fund all of DHS while separating enforcement and removal operations. Some Democrats expressed tentative interest but were wary of potential shifts in ICE funding.
As pressure built at airports, President Trump sought to take decisive action, announcing plans to declare a national emergency to ensure TSA agents were compensated. This raised immediate questions regarding funding sources and the viability of his approach under legal review.
RELATED: JUST IN: Trump Orders Sweeping Action To Pay TSA Agents Amid Dem-Led Shutdown
Following this, Thune informed reporters that an agreement had been struck to fund most of DHS, excluding ICE and Border Patrol. This measure passed by voice vote just after 2 a.m., with only a handful of senators present.
House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the piecemeal approach to funding, deeming it “shameful” to not fully support DHS. It remains uncertain if the House will accept the Senate’s package or push for modifications.
Republicans are keen to tackle ICE funding through a party-line reconciliation bill, possibly in conjunction with the Trump-backed voting reform dubbed the Save America Act. However, reconciliation can present stringent challenges, and this strategy could face procedural hurdles and conflicts within the GOP regarding additional provisions, including funding related to the conflict with Iran.
RELATED: Delta Pulls VIP Travel Perks From Congress As DHS Shutdown Drags On
As Congress prepares for a two-week recess, the fight over immigration enforcement is far from concluded. While the shutdown’s immediate impacts on travelers and paychecks may be alleviated, the ongoing border debate is gearing up for its next phase.
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