House Republicans reject Senate deal, prolonging partial US government shutdown

March 28, 2026

A congressional standoff has prolonged the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, with House Republicans rejecting a bipartisan Senate proposal that would have reopened most of DHS while excluding immigration agency funding. Instead, House Republicans passed their own bill funding DHS at current levels for 60 days, which Senate Democrats have declared "dead on arrival. " The impasse has left approximately 50,000 TSA airport security agents unpaid since mid-February, causing severe airport disruptions with only one-third to half of security checkpoints operating nationwide.

Who is affected

Approximately 50,000 TSA agents who have been working without pay since mid-February
Air travelers facing hours-long queues at airports across the US
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents
Customs and Border Protection personnel
US Coast Guard members
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees
Houston Airport System and other airports operating with reduced TSA checkpoints
US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti (killed by federal agents during ICE operations in Minneapolis)

What action is being taken

House Republicans passed a bill (213-203 vote) to fund DHS at current levels for 60 days
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to pay TSA agents
The DHS is processing paychecks for TSA officers, expected to arrive by Monday, March 30
Congress is heading on a two-week break
Approximately one-third to 50% of TSA checkpoints are currently operating

Why it matters

This impasse has created a crisis in US airport security and travel infrastructure, with only a fraction of normal security checkpoints operating and causing severe delays for travelers nationwide. The controversy highlights deep political divisions over immigration enforcement, particularly following the controversial killings of two US citizens by ICE agents in Minneapolis. The constitutional implications are significant, as Trump's executive order to pay federal workers bypasses Congress's constitutional authority over spending, potentially setting a precedent that could face legal challenges. The shutdown demonstrates how congressional dysfunction can directly impact public safety, essential government services, and the daily lives of millions of Americans attempting to travel.

What's next

The House Republican bill will head back to the Senate for approval
TSA officers should begin receiving paychecks as early as Monday, March 30
Congress will take a two-week break
Potential legal and political challenges to Trump's executive order paying TSA agents

Read full article from source: BBC