Homeland Security Funding Standoff Continues as Congress Reconsiders Senate Proposal

Thu Apr 02 2026 15:53:01 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The ongoing funding stalemate for the Department of Homeland Security shows no signs of resolution as the House of Representatives deliberates a previously rejected Senate plan that excludes immigration enforcement funding.

The Department of Homeland Security's funding in the United States remains unresolved after 48 days of standoff. Congressional leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, are aligning to consider a Senate proposal that would fund most of the DHS operations excluding immigration enforcement. While Republican leaders and former President Trump express support for moving forward, internal party divides and criticism from Democrats mark the tumultuous negotiation landscape. Meanwhile, many DHS employees continue to work without pay, causing operational disruptions, particularly at airports.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The funding lapse for the Department of Homeland Security is anticipated to extend into next week as the House weighs a plan previously rejected which would fund most of the agency, excluding immigration enforcement operations. The impasse has now lingered for 48 days without resolution despite short pro forma sessions held by both chambers.

Republican leadership has rallied around a strategy to fully fund the DHS through a two-step process, finding common ground after separately pursued paths led to Congress departing for its spring recess without a solution. Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged the uncertain future of the plan, expressing hope that the House would support it eventually.

Meanwhile, House Republicans plan to hold a conference call to address subsequent steps after Speaker Mike Johnson and Thune indicated they would return to the Senate measure, which funds most DHS functions, but not U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Border Patrol. Plans to fund those subdivisions through targeted party-line spending measures may take additional time to finalize.

Despite some agreement among Republican leaders, dissent within the party remains a concern, particularly regarding immigration enforcement budgets. Thune remarked on the discussions that set the stage for this unified approach after apparent prior divisions. In criticizing Republicans for the delay, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer asserted that their disagreements have forced American families to suffer the consequences.

As funding discussions continue, many DHS employees have been reporting to work without pay, with reports of heightened frustrations among travelers as TSA agents began to call out sick due to financial stress. The situation worsened at airports, causing long wait times; however, backpay was being disbursed after an executive order was signed by Trump.