The US Senate has voted to end a partial 40-day government shutdown, approving funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - with the exception of immigration enforcement.
The almost six-week funding lapse has seen knock-on disruption at US airports. Security workers' salaries are paid by the DHS, and hundreds have quit since the shutdown began.
Democrats had refused to agree on a funding deal without reforms to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, but the Senate reached unanimous agreement after stripping ICE and parts of border protection out of the measure.
The funding measures now face a vote in the House of Representatives.
It is hoped that the package can bring an end to widespread disruption at airports across the US, where travelers have faced hours-long queues due to a shortage of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at security checkpoints.
Around 50,000 agents at the TSA have been working without pay since mid-February due to the shutdown, reducing the number of staff turning up for work each day.
A BBC reporter at Houston airport reported long queues, with travelers facing significant delays.
President Donald Trump indicated he would sign an executive order to expedite TSA payments after the Senate vote. Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted that the situation was exacerbated by Democrats' refusal to reach an agreement, while Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the need for no more funding for ICE without significant reforms.
Democrats are calling for any deal on DHS funding to include various reforms relating to ICE operations, reflecting public concern about their conduct.
