Trending Now - DHS Shutdown Negotiations Continue Amid Travel Concerns

WHO:

President Donald Trump

Sen. Cory Booker, New Jersey

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts

Speaker Mike Johnson

Sen. Markwayne Mullin

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

Sen. Patty Murray

Sen. Jon Ossoff, Georgia

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Maryland

Rep. Virginia Foxx

WHAT:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been shut down since February 14th, 2026.

Senate Democrats are refusing to support any funding bill for DHS that does not include significant changes to Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.

50,000 TSA agents are going without pay for another week.

Democrats sent a new counteroffer to the White House late on March 16th, 2026.

The White House's last offer was made roughly three weeks prior to March 16th, 2026.

The White House offer included up to $100 million for body cameras and proposals for inspector general audits.

WHERE:

Washington, D.C.

Minneapolis, Minnesota (location of the shootings of two U.S. citizens by DHS officers)

WHEN:

DHS shutdown began on February 14th, 2026.

The Senate Homeland Security Committee is scheduled to question Sen. Markwayne Mullin on March 18th, 2026.

The two-week recess for Easter and Passover is expected to occur in late March 2026.

WHY:

Democrats demand changes to federal immigration enforcement in response to the killings of two U.S. citizens by DHS officers.

Republicans argue that Democrats are blocking funding to protect "criminal illegal aliens."

HOW:

Democrats are attempting to force a vote on a bill that would fund DHS aside from immigration enforcement, requiring only a handful of Republican signatures to succeed.

The White House is reviewing the latest Democratic counteroffer.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 23:20 UTC)

The Department of Homeland Security has been shut down since February 14, 2026, as Senate Democrats refuse to support any funding bill that doesn't include significant changes to Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. As a result, 50,000 TSA agents are going without pay for another week, while Democrats sent a new counteroffer to the White House late last Monday, which is currently under review. The Senate Homeland Security Committee is set to question Senator Markwayne Mullin on March 18, just as the two-week recess for Easter and Passover approaches later this month.