Trending Now - Congress and White House Seek Solutions to Funding Stalemate

WHO:

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., expressed concerns about Markwayne Mullin's comments regarding his past assault.

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., questioned Mullin about his comments on Alex Pretti.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., stated he is "the only Democrat that refused to shut our DHS down."

Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., criticized Democrats for making TSA employees miss paychecks.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned of worsening airport lines if TSA agents miss another paycheck.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., expressed concerns about Sen. Markwayne Mullin's temperament during the confirmation hearing.

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., questioned Mullin about his past comments regarding Alex Pretti.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., stated he is "the only Democrat that refused to shut our DHS down."

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., criticized Republicans for refusing to agree to reforms that would prevent TSA agents from going without pay.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., is President Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., stated he is "the only Democrat that refused to shut our DHS down."

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is the Senate Minority Leader.

Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., is a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Sen. Katie Boyd Britt, R-Ala., stated that Democrats are to blame for making TSA employees miss more than two months of paychecks during recent shutdowns.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., criticized Republicans for refusing to agree to reforms that would prevent TSA agents from going without pay.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., expressed concerns about Sen. Markwayne Mullin's temperament during the confirmation hearing.

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., questioned Mullin about his past comments regarding Alex Pretti.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., stated he is the only Democrat who refused to support the DHS shutdown.

President Donald Trump, nominee Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., Sen. Katie Boyd Britt, R-Ala., Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., John Pistole, former TSA administrator, Johnny Jones, secretary-treasurer of AFGE TSA Council 100, Adam Stahl, TSA’s acting deputy administrator.

WHAT:

The DHS shutdown entered Day 34 on March 19, 2026.

More than 120,000 DHS employees are currently working without pay.

Hundreds of TSA officers have quit in recent weeks due to the ongoing funding lapse.

TSA officials warned that delays at some airports could worsen as more screeners working without pay call out or quit.

The House Democrats are signing a discharge petition to force a vote on a funding bill for TSA and other DHS agencies, which would not fund ICE or CBP.

The DHS shutdown entered Day 33 on March 18, 2026.

More than 120,000 DHS employees are currently working without pay.

TSA officials warned that delays at some airports could worsen as more screeners working without pay call out or quit.

The House Democrats are signing a discharge petition to force a vote on a funding bill for TSA and other DHS agencies, which would not fund ICE or CBP.

The Senate is set to leave town for a two-week recess at the end of March 2026.

The DHS shutdown entered Day 33 on March 18, 2026.

More than 100,000 DHS employees are currently working without pay.

TSA officials warned that delays at some airports could worsen as more screeners working without pay call out or quit.

The House Democrats are signing a discharge petition to force a vote on a funding bill for TSA and other DHS agencies, which would not fund ICE or CBP.

The Senate is set to leave town for a two-week recess at the end of March 2026.

The DHS shutdown entered Day 33 on March 18, 2026.

Hundreds of TSA officers have quit in recent weeks due to the ongoing funding lapse.

The Department of Homeland Security stated that some TSA employees are staying in airports overnight because they cannot afford their commute.

The DHS shutdown entered Day 33 on March 18, 2026.

More than 366 TSA agents have left the force due to the shutdown.

TSA officials warned that delays at some airports could worsen as more screeners working without pay call out or quit.

House Democrats are signing a discharge petition to force a vote on a funding bill for TSA and other DHS agencies, which would not fund ICE or CBP.

Confirmation hearing for Sen. Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took place on March 18, 2026.

DHS shutdown entered Day 33 on March 18, 2026.

Over 100,000 DHS employees are working without pay.

More than 366 TSA agents have left the force due to the shutdown.

TSA employees have missed paychecks for over a month.

Democrats are refusing to fund certain agencies within DHS, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

A discharge petition is being signed by House Democrats to force a vote on a funding bill for TSA and other DHS agencies.

WHERE:

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.

U.S. airports, including Philadelphia airport.

WHEN:

A group of senators met with border czar Tom Homan on March 19, 2026.

The DHS shutdown began on February 14, 2026.

Deadline set by Trump for Mullin's installation as DHS chief is March 31, 2026.

A group of senators met with border czar Tom Homan on March 19, 2026.

The DHS shutdown began on February 14, 2026.

Deadline set by Trump for Mullin's installation as DHS chief is March 31, 2026.

A group of senators met with border czar Tom Homan on March 19, 2026.

The DHS shutdown began on February 14, 2026.

Deadline set by Trump for Mullin's installation as DHS chief is March 31, 2026.

A group of senators met with border czar Tom Homan on March 19, 2026, to discuss the ongoing DHS funding impasse.

The DHS shutdown began on February 14, 2026.

The Senate confirmation hearing for Mullin took place on March 18, 2026.

Confirmation hearing on March 18, 2026.

DHS shutdown began on February 14, 2026.

Deadline set by Trump for Mullin's installation as DHS chief is March 31, 2026.

WHY:

Democrats are demanding accountability following the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis, which has influenced their refusal to fund certain DHS agencies.

Republicans argue that the DHS needs to be fully operational during a heightened level of security.

Democrats are demanding accountability following the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis, which has influenced their refusal to fund certain DHS agencies.

Republicans argue that the DHS needs to be fully operational during a heightened level of security.

Democrats are demanding accountability following the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis, which has influenced their refusal to fund certain DHS agencies.

Republicans argue that the DHS needs to be fully operational during a heightened level of security.

Democrats are demanding accountability following the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis, which has influenced their refusal to fund certain DHS agencies.

Democrats are demanding accountability following the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.

Republicans argue that the DHS needs to be fully operational during a heightened level of security.

Democrats demand accountability following the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.

Republicans want full funding for DHS, while Democrats seek immigration reform as part of the funding agreement.

HOW:

The Trump administration highlighted the impact of the shutdown on TSA employees, stating that many cannot afford basic necessities, and emphasized the need for Congress to act to resolve the funding issue.

The Trump administration highlighted the impact of the shutdown on TSA employees, stating that many cannot afford basic necessities.

Adam Stahl, TSA’s acting deputy administrator, cited the Philadelphia airport as experiencing longer screening times due to staffing shortages.

Senate confirmation process for Mullin includes questioning by committee members.

Democrats are using a discharge petition to attempt to force a vote on funding legislation.

TSA officials warn of worsening delays at airports due to employees working without pay.

(UPDATED March 20, 2026 09:08 UTC)

Today marks Day 34 of the ongoing DHS shutdown, which began on February 14, leaving over 120,000 employees working without pay and prompting hundreds of TSA officers to quit. Senators from both parties are voicing their concerns, with Rand Paul questioning Markwayne Mullin's comments about his past and Democrats pushing for accountability following recent tragic events. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that airport delays could worsen if more TSA agents continue to call out or resign, as House Democrats work on a discharge petition to force a vote on funding for TSA and other DHS agencies.

(UPDATED March 20, 2026 07:17 UTC)

The ongoing DHS shutdown has now reached Day 33, with over 120,000 employees working without pay, leading to warnings from TSA officials about worsening delays at airports. During a confirmation hearing, Sen. Rand Paul raised concerns about Sen. Markwayne Mullin's temperament, while other senators discussed the need for reforms to prevent TSA agents from going unpaid. As the House Democrats push for a vote on a funding bill that excludes ICE and CBP, the deadline for Trump's installation of Mullin as DHS chief looms on March 31.

(UPDATED March 20, 2026 03:44 UTC)

Senator Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma has been nominated by Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security as the agency's shutdown enters its 33rd day, leaving over 100,000 employees working without pay. Meanwhile, TSA officials are warning that delays at airports could worsen as more screeners call out or quit, while House Democrats are pushing for a vote on a funding bill that would not include funding for ICE or CBP. As the Senate prepares for a two-week recess at the end of March, the deadline for Mullin's installation as DHS chief is set for March 31, and Democrats are demanding accountability following recent deaths that have influenced their stance on funding.

(UPDATED March 19, 2026 21:09 UTC)

Today marks the thirty-third day of the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which has led to hundreds of TSA officers quitting due to missed paychecks and some employees even staying overnight at airports because they can't afford their commute. In a recent meeting with border czar Tom Homan, Senator Katie Boyd Britt blamed Democrats for the situation, while Senator Patty Murray criticized Republicans for not agreeing to reforms that could prevent TSA agents from going without pay. The Trump administration has pointed out the severe impact of the shutdown on TSA employees, urging Congress to take action to resolve the funding crisis.

(UPDATED March 19, 2026 19:22 UTC)

The DHS shutdown, which began on February 14, has now entered its 33rd day, causing significant disruptions as over 366 TSA agents have left their positions, leading to warnings of worsening delays at airports. During a Senate confirmation hearing for Markwayne Mullin, Senator Rand Paul raised concerns about Mullin's temperament, while Senator Gary Peters questioned him about his past comments regarding Alex Pretti, amid ongoing demands for accountability from Democrats following recent tragic events. Meanwhile, House Democrats are pushing a discharge petition to force a vote on a funding bill for TSA and other DHS agencies, as the Trump administration highlights the financial struggles faced by TSA employees during this prolonged shutdown.

(UPDATED March 19, 2026 11:13 UTC)

On March 18, 2026, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a confirmation hearing for Senator Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security, which is currently facing a shutdown that has lasted 33 days and left over 100,000 employees working without pay. The shutdown has led to significant staffing issues, with more than 366 TSA agents leaving their positions and warnings of worsening delays at U.S. airports, including Philadelphia. Meanwhile, House Democrats are signing a discharge petition to force a vote on funding legislation, as they demand accountability following recent tragedies while Republicans push for full funding for DHS.