Senate passes DHS funding bill as shutdown hits day 42, leaving out ICE and parts of CBP

Department of Homeland Security shutdown hits day 42

The partial shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security reached Day 42 on March 27, 2026, after DHS funding lapsed in mid-February amid a fight over immigration enforcement reforms. Many DHS functions continued, but the funding gap created widespread disruption, especially in aviation security and travel.

Key DHS components, including TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard, and cybersecurity operations, remained active in varying capacities, even as large numbers of employees went without regular pay.

Early March 27, the Senate passed a compromise by voice vote to fund most of DHS while leaving out ICE and parts of CBP, but House leaders moved in a different direction, keeping the standoff unresolved.

House passes 213 to 203 funding bill

The House voted 213–203 late on March 27, 2026, to pass a short-term bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security through May 22.

The vote highlighted how narrow the path to any solution has become as lawmakers try to reopen DHS while arguing over immigration enforcement policy.

ABC News reported that three Democrats — Reps. Henry Cuellar, Don Davis, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez voted with the bill’s supporters. Even with House passage, Senate Democratic leaders signaled the measure would not advance in the Senate, leaving the shutdown stalemate in place.

Senate approves partial funding overnight

In the early hours of March 27, 2026, the Senate approved a compromise to fund much of the Department of Homeland Security, moving the bill by voice vote after overnight negotiations.

The agreement reflected weeks of deadlock as Democrats pushed for immigration enforcement reforms, and Republicans insisted on broader funding.

The Senate measure funded major DHS components such as TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard, but left out ICE and parts of CBP — the flashpoint in the dispute. House GOP leaders refused to move forward with the Senate approach, preventing an immediate end to the shutdown.

Key conflict centers on immigration funding

The main dispute in the shutdown centers on whether to fund immigration enforcement agencies without policy changes. The Senate bill excludes ICE and parts of CBP, while the House plan restores full funding for all DHS components.

Democrats demanded reforms to immigration enforcement practices before approving additional funding. These demands came after earlier 2026 incidents involving federal officers in Minnesota.

Republicans rejected those conditions and argued that all law enforcement agencies should remain fully funded. This disagreement created a deadlock that has blocked both chambers from agreeing on a single funding solution.

Shutdown began on Feb. 14, 2026

The DHS shutdown began on Feb. 14, 2026, after lawmakers failed to pass a funding agreement tied to immigration enforcement policies. The funding gap quickly escalated into a prolonged standoff between the House and the Senate.

Over the following weeks, federal workers across multiple agencies continued working without stable pay. Many employees reported financial stress as missed paychecks affected daily living expenses.

The shutdown also disrupted normal operations across airports and federal systems. Reduced staffing levels led to slower processing times and longer lines, affecting millions of travelers nationwide.

TSA workers missed two full paychecks

Tens of thousands of TSA officers have been working without pay during the DHS shutdown, and the pay disruption has fueled rising absences and resignations. Reuters reported that about 50,000 TSA airport security screeners were working without pay as the shutdown persisted.

The Department of Homeland Security reported that 11.8% of TSA agents missed work on one day during the shutdown, with more than 3,450 calling out.

AP also reported that some airports experienced daily call-out rates around 40%, and DHS said the agency had seen hundreds of quits since the shutdown began, further straining security checkpoints.

Trump orders emergency pay for TSA

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 27, 2026, directing the Department of Homeland Security to begin paying TSA officers during the shutdown. The move was aimed at easing staffing strain and reducing severe airport delays as absences and resignations climbed.

AP and Reuters reported the White House said the president declared an emergency to enable TSA officers to be paid as soon as the following week, using available funding tied to TSA operations.

Even with TSA pay moving forward, the broader DHS funding dispute remained unresolved because the House and Senate backed different funding plans.

Senate heads into two week recess

The Senate entered a scheduled two-week recess immediately after passing its funding bill. Lawmakers are not expected to return until mid April, delaying further action on the shutdown.

This timing complicates negotiations because the House passed a different funding plan that requires Senate approval. Without both chambers in session, progress toward a compromise slows significantly.

The recess effectively pauses legislative momentum at a critical stage. With no immediate votes scheduled, the shutdown is likely to continue until lawmakers reconvene and resume negotiations.

House bill likely to fail in Senate

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that the House funding bill would not advance in the Senate, calling it “dead on arrival.” Democrats oppose restoring full funding for immigration enforcement without reforms.

The Senate requires at least 60 votes to move legislation forward, making bipartisan support essential. Current positions indicate that the House proposal lacks the necessary Democratic backing.

This rejection creates a clear legislative stalemate. Even though the House passed its version, the Senate is unlikely to approve it, preventing the measure from reaching the president’s desk.

Democrats say Senate bill could pass House

House Democrats argued that the Senate-approved funding bill has enough support to pass in the House if brought to a vote. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the shutdown could end quickly under that scenario.

Democrats signaled they would provide the votes needed to approve the Senate plan. Their position focuses on funding DHS agencies while excluding immigration enforcement until reforms are addressed.

House leadership declined to bring the Senate bill to the floor. This decision blocked a potential resolution and prolonged the funding standoff between the two chambers.

Internal divisions slow progress

Internal divisions have made a quick deal harder. Axios reported that House Freedom Caucus members said they would not support DHS funding unless it included voter ID legislation and additional border-related provisions, while other Republicans objected to any approach that left ICE and CBP out.

Democrats, meanwhile, have pushed for immigration enforcement reforms as a condition for broader funding, arguing against giving ICE and CBP what they describe as an unchecked mandate.

With factions pulling in different directions, leaders in both chambers have struggled to unify around a single package that can pass the House and meet the Senate’s vote threshold.

Airports face ongoing disruptions

Airports have faced long security lines and delays as TSA staffing has thinned during the DHS shutdown. AP reported that several major airports urged travelers to arrive hours early, reflecting how quickly screening operations can bog down when callouts surge.

AP also reported that some airports experienced daily TSA call-out rates around 40%, while DHS cited a national callout rate of 11.8% on one day during the shutdown.

Airline and travel groups warned that a prolonged funding lapse could snarl air travel during spring break, especially if more officers stay home because of financial strain.

Security staffing shortages lead to closures affecting Delta routes. Stay updated on how airline schedules and airport operations continue to shift.

Shutdown expected to continue into April

With the House and Senate backing different DHS funding plans and then leaving Washington for a recess period, the shutdown risked extending into April.

The Senate’s schedule shows pro forma sessions through early April, with the next full return set for April 13, limiting the window for quick legislative action.

The House bill would fund DHS through May 22, but Senate Democratic leaders said it would not advance. Meanwhile, the Senate-backed compromise has not been brought up for a House vote. Until both chambers align on one plan, airport delays and broader DHS disruptions could continue.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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