Senate Votes to Fund Most of D.H.S. in Bid to End Partial Shutdown
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- The Senate voted early Friday to fund the Department of Homeland Security, excluding immigration enforcement and deportation operations, aiming to end a partial shutdown that has affected federal workers and airport security.
- The funding package, passed by voice vote, includes agencies such as the TSA, FEMA, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Coast Guard, but excludes ICE and Border Patrol, reflecting Democratic demands for changes in ICE policies.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune criticized the "piecemeal" funding approach, attributing it to time constraints and Democratic opposition to ICE funding, calling it an imperfect solution.
- The partial shutdown, ongoing since mid-February, has caused TSA employees to work without pay, leading to staff shortages and long airport security lines; President Trump announced plans to sign an emergency order to compensate TSA agents.
- The funding measure will next be considered by the House of Representatives.
