Senate approves DHS funding bill excluding ICE after 40-day shutdown
The Senate passed legislation early Friday to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ending a partial government shutdown affecting airport security operations.
11:57 AM
The U.S. Senate approved legislation early Friday morning to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to end a partial government shutdown that has disrupted air travel across the country. The measure passed by unanimous consent in a rare overnight vote.
The bill funds the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. It excludes funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and parts of Customs and Border Protection, terms Democrats had insisted upon during weeks of negotiations.
The shutdown, which lasted 40 days, stemmed from disagreements between Republicans and Democrats over immigration enforcement funding and policy reforms. Democrats had demanded changes to ICE's immigration enforcement practices as a condition for approving DHS funding. The Senate-approved measure does not include the reforms Democrats sought, though Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer characterized the outcome as a win for his party.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the outcome was "unfortunate," noting that Democrats wanted reforms but "ended up getting no reforms." Thune said he had spoken to President Trump and that the House was "aware" of the Senate's plan, though he did not know how it would react.
The funding gap has had significant consequences for airport operations nationwide. TSA workers went more than five weeks without full paychecks, leading nearly 500 to quit and causing a sharp increase in call-outs among remaining staff. The staffing shortages resulted in massive lines and extended wait times at airport security checkpoints across the country.
President Trump said Thursday he would sign an emergency order to pay TSA officers as the staffing crisis worsened. This announcement came as the shutdown's impact on air travel intensified.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington said Friday, "I think we're gonna pass it. I hope we can get it done today," noting that a procedural rule would need to be waived. A House vote could occur as soon as Friday, with lawmakers seeking to leave Washington for a scheduled two-week recess.
The House Freedom Caucus, a conservative group, said it will not support the current DHS funding deal without funding for immigration enforcement and voter ID requirements. If the House approves the measure, it would then go to President Trump for his signature.