Trending Now - DHS Shutdown Surges Into Second Month as Senate Votes Loom

WHO:

Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated, "It needs to get resolved, you know, by the end of next week," regarding the ongoing negotiations.

Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins described the latest White House offer as a "very fair, reasonable offer," without outlining specifics.

GOP Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama stated, "Today was not negotiation, it was conversation," after a meeting with border czar Tom Homan on March 19th, 2026.

Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins described the latest White House offer as a "very fair, reasonable offer," without providing specifics.

GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania stated, "Public servants should not get special treatment or special access, ever, on any front."

Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon mentioned that constituents want senators treated like everybody else.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna argued that TSA should immediately stop all escorts for senators who continue to keep DHS shuttered.

Sen. John Cornyn sponsored a bill requiring members of Congress to go through the same security screening procedures as all passengers.

Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted with Republicans in the latest Senate vote.

Republican Senator Katie Britt of Alabama described the meeting with Tom Homan as "not negotiation, it was conversation."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, "The chaos at TSA is reaching a boiling point. We need to reopen it as quickly as possible."

President Trump

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.

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

Democratic Senator John Fetterman, Pennsylvania

Republican Senator Katie Britt, Alabama

Border czar Tom Homan

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers

Senators Susan Collins, R-Maine; Angus King, I-Maine; Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.; Patty Murray, D-Wash.

WHAT:

The Senate is expected to hold another procedural vote on TSA funding on March 22nd, 2026.

The Senate failed to advance a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security on March 20th, 2026, in a 47 to 37 vote, marking the fifth attempt since February 12th, 2026.

TSA officials warned that some airports might need to be shut down if the situation is not resolved soon, as unpaid TSA officers are calling off work or quitting.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on March 21st, 2026, that he would offer an alternative measure to fund just the Transportation Security Administration, which is expected to fail.

The Senate failed to advance a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security on March 20th, 2026, in a 47 to 37 vote, with 16 senators not voting.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated, "This is a pox on everybody's house," regarding the ongoing shutdown and its effects.

The Senate failed to advance a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security on March 20th, 2026, in a 47 to 37 vote, marking the fifth attempt since February 12th, 2026.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated on March 20th, 2026, "Tomorrow, America will see the matter crystal clear: which senators want to open up TSA, pay TSA workers, and end the chaos at our airports, and which senators are going to block TSA funding yet again."

Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that lawmakers would not leave Washington, D.C., until the government reopens, stating, "I can't see us taking a break if the government is still shut down."

The Senate failed to advance a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security on March 20th, 2026, in a 47 to 37 vote, marking the fifth attempt since February 12th, 2026.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated, "I think we're going to know today whether we're actually serious about it," regarding the ongoing negotiations.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer indicated that a procedural vote on TSA funding is expected on March 22nd, 2026.

TSA officials warned that some airports might need to be shut down if the situation is not resolved soon, as unpaid TSA officers are calling off work or quitting.

The Senate passed a bill on March 19th, 2026, to require members of Congress to go through standard security screenings at airports.

TSA has paused providing "courtesy and family police escorts" for members of Congress since the funding for DHS lapsed on February 14th, 2026.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated, "This is a pox on everybody's house," regarding the ongoing shutdown and its effects.

Sixteen senators did not vote in the latest Senate funding bill attempt.

The Senate is expected to hold another procedural vote on TSA funding on March 21st, 2026.

TSA officials warned that some airports might need to be shut down if the situation is not resolved soon.

The Senate failed to advance legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on March 20th, 2026, in a 47 to 37 vote.

The legislation needed 60 votes to advance.

This was the fifth attempt to advance the House-passed bill since February 12th, 2026.

DHS has been shut down since February 14th, 2026, marking the 35th day of the shutdown, tying it for the second-longest in history.

Long airport lines and unpaid TSA officers have resulted from the shutdown.

Senate Democrats blocked funding for TSA and other DHS agencies, except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection.

Senate Democrats sent a counteroffer to the White House earlier in the week, which included proposals for expanded use of body cameras and limiting civil immigration enforcement activities at schools and hospitals.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated, "This can't continue," and emphasized the need for a resolution.

WHERE:

Washington, D.C.

U.S. airports

WHEN:

March 22nd, 2026 - Expected procedural vote on TSA funding.

A procedural vote on TSA funding is expected on March 22nd, 2026.

The Senate failed to advance the DHS funding bill on March 20th, 2026.

A procedural vote on TSA funding is expected on March 22nd, 2026.

The Senate passed the bill regarding security screenings for Congress on March 19th, 2026.

March 20th, 2026 - Date of the Senate vote

February 12th, 2026 - Date of the first attempt to advance the bill

February 14th, 2026 - Date DHS was shut down

March 21st, 2026 - Expected procedural vote on TSA funding

WHY:

Democrats are demanding changes to immigration enforcement practices following the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier in 2026.

Senate Democrats have stated they will continue to block funding until their demands regarding body cameras, judicial warrants, and unmasking officers are met, as reiterated by Senator Patty Murray.

Democrats are demanding changes to immigration enforcement practices following the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier in 2026.

Senate Democrats have stated they will continue to block funding until their demands regarding body cameras, judicial warrants, and unmasking officers are met, as reiterated by Senator Patty Murray.

Democrats are demanding changes to immigration enforcement practices following the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier in 2026.

Democrats are insisting on reforms to immigration enforcement practices in response to the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier in 2026.

Senate Democrats have stated they will continue to block funding until their demands regarding body cameras, judicial warrants, and unmasking officers are met, as reiterated by Senator Patty Murray.

Democrats are demanding changes to immigration enforcement practices following the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier in 2026.

Democrats are blocking funding until their demands regarding body cameras, judicial warrants, and unmasking officers are met, as stated by Senator Patty Murray.

Democrats are insisting on reforms to immigration enforcement practices to fully reopen DHS.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer cited "deep disagreements" on immigration enforcement as a reason for the stalled negotiations.

Republicans are blocking attempts to pass funding for other DHS agencies unless Democrats agree to fund ICE without reforms.

HOW:

A bipartisan group of senators met with border czar Tom Homan on March 19th, 2026, marking the first real face-to-face meeting in six weeks.

A bipartisan group of senators met with border czar Tom Homan on March 19th, 2026, and another meeting was expected on March 20th, 2026, to discuss DHS funding.

A bipartisan group of senators met with border czar Tom Homan on March 19th, 2026, to discuss DHS funding, marking the first real face-to-face meeting in six weeks.

A bipartisan group of senators met with Tom Homan on March 19th, 2026, marking the first real face-to-face meeting in six weeks.

The Senate attempted to advance a House-passed bill through multiple votes, which have been blocked by Democrats.

A bipartisan group of senators met with border czar Tom Homan to discuss the situation, marking the first meeting in six weeks.

The White House made several proposals to Democrats in its counteroffer, which were dismissed by Democrats.

(UPDATED March 21, 2026 19:06 UTC)

Senate Majority Leader John Thune emphasized the urgency of resolving ongoing negotiations by the end of next week, while Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins referred to the latest White House offer as a "very fair, reasonable offer." The Senate is set to hold another procedural vote on TSA funding tomorrow, following a failed attempt to advance a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security last Monday, which ended in a 47 to 37 vote. TSA officials have warned that some airports may face shutdowns if the situation remains unresolved, as unpaid TSA officers are increasingly calling off work or quitting.

(UPDATED March 21, 2026 11:01 UTC)

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced today that he will propose an alternative measure to fund just the Transportation Security Administration, although it's expected to fail. This comes after the Senate failed to advance a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security last Monday, with a vote of 47 to 37 and 16 senators not participating. Meanwhile, GOP Senator Katie Britt of Alabama remarked after a meeting with border czar Tom Homan that "today was not negotiation, it was conversation," as Democrats continue to push for changes to immigration enforcement practices following recent tragic events.

(UPDATED March 21, 2026 05:18 UTC)

The Senate failed to advance a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security in a 47 to 37 vote on March 20, marking the fifth attempt since February. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized that the upcoming procedural vote on TSA funding, scheduled for March 22, will reveal which senators support reopening TSA and which ones are blocking the funding. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated that lawmakers will remain in Washington until the government reopens, as Democrats continue to push for changes in immigration enforcement following recent tragic events in Minneapolis.

(UPDATED March 21, 2026 03:37 UTC)

The Senate failed to advance a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security yesterday, with a vote of 47 to 37, marking the fifth attempt since February. Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed that today would be crucial in determining the seriousness of ongoing negotiations, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a procedural vote on TSA funding is expected this coming Sunday. TSA officials have warned that without a resolution, some airports may face shutdowns as unpaid officers are increasingly calling off work or quitting, amid Democrats' insistence on reforms to immigration enforcement practices following recent tragic events.

(UPDATED March 21, 2026 01:22 UTC)

The Senate passed a bill on March 19, 2026, requiring members of Congress to undergo standard security screenings at airports, a move supported by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. This decision comes as TSA has paused providing escorts for Congress members since the Department of Homeland Security funding lapsed on February 14, 2026, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune calling the ongoing shutdown a "pox on everybody's house." In light of recent tragic events, including the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis, Democrats are pushing for changes to immigration enforcement practices, leading to a bipartisan meeting with border czar Tom Homan on the same day the bill was passed.

(UPDATED March 20, 2026 23:07 UTC)

In a significant Senate vote last night, Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania sided with Republicans, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed concern over the escalating chaos at TSA, calling for a quick resolution. Sixteen senators abstained from voting on the latest funding bill, and TSA officials have warned that some airports may face shutdowns if the situation isn't addressed soon, with another procedural vote on TSA funding scheduled for tomorrow. Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of senators met with Tom Homan on March 19, marking the first meaningful in-person discussion in six weeks, as Democrats continue to block funding until their demands regarding body cameras and judicial warrants are met.

(UPDATED March 20, 2026 21:09 UTC)

Today, the Senate failed to advance legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security, with a vote of 47 to 37, marking the fifth attempt since February 12. DHS has been shut down since February 14, tying it for the second-longest shutdown in history, which has led to long airport lines and unpaid TSA officers. Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed urgency for a resolution, as Democrats continue to insist on reforms to immigration enforcement practices before fully reopening DHS.