Trending Now - Senate to Vote Today on DHS Shutdown 2026

WHO:

President Donald Trump

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat

Senate Minority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican

Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania

Approximately 50,000 TSA workers

U.S. Senate

WHAT:

The Senate was scheduled to vote on HR 7147, an appropriations bill to fund DHS agencies.

The Senate vote on March 16, 2026, required 60 votes to pass.

The DHS shutdown has lasted 31 days as of March 16, 2026.

The last Senate vote to end the shutdown on March 12, 2026, failed with a vote of 51-46.

Only one Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman, voted in favor of the bill.

TSA workers are receiving partial paychecks, leading to staffing shortages.

Betting odds forecast the shutdown lasting through April 13, 2026.

WHERE:

U.S. Senate

Major airports across the United States

Northeast U.S. (impacted by a March "megastorm")

Middle East (related to U.S. service members)

WHEN:

The Senate returned to session on March 16, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET.

The last government shutdown lasted 43 days from October 1, 2025, to November 12, 2025.

The Senate recess is planned from March 30, 2026, to April 10, 2026.

WHY:

Senate Democrats and Republicans have failed to reach an agreement on DHS funding.

Democrats withheld support for HR 7147 unless ICE is reined in after fatal shootings by federal agents in January 2026.

The government shutdown is impacting TSA operations amid rising security concerns due to the war in Iran.

HOW:

The Senate requires 60 votes to pass the appropriations bill HR 7147 to end the DHS shutdown.

TSA staffing shortages are exacerbated by workers receiving partial pay and increased callout rates.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 05:28 UTC)

The U.S. Senate returned to session yesterday to vote on HR 7147, an appropriations bill aimed at funding Department of Homeland Security agencies, as the shutdown has now lasted 31 days. Only one Democrat, Senator John Fetterman, supported the bill, which failed to pass last Monday with a vote of 51 to 46, leaving TSA workers facing partial paychecks and staffing shortages at major airports across the country. As negotiations between Senate Democrats and Republicans continue, the odds suggest the shutdown could extend through April 13.