US Senate votes to fund most of Homeland Security to end airports chaos - but ICE excluded

March 27, 2026

The US Senate has unanimously approved funding to end a 40-day partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security, though immigration enforcement agencies were excluded from the measure. The shutdown caused severe disruptions at American airports as approximately 50,000 unpaid Transportation Security Administration officers either stopped reporting to work or resigned entirely, leading to extensive security checkpoint delays. Democrats had blocked previous funding attempts, demanding reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement following controversial agent conduct, including fatal shootings in Minneapolis.

Who is affected

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers (approximately 50,000 working without pay)
Air travelers at US airports experiencing hours-long security queues
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees
US Coast Guard personnel
Federal Emergency Management Agency workers
Renee Good and Alex Pretti (victims of fatal shootings by ICE agents in Minneapolis)
Houston Airport System and other airports operating reduced security checkpoints

What action is being taken

The US Senate is voting to approve funding for DHS (excluding immigration enforcement)
Around 50,000 TSA agents are working without pay
TSA checkpoints are operating at reduced capacity (one-third to 50% at Houston airport)
President Trump is preparing to sign an executive order to immediately pay TSA agents
The funding package is proceeding to a House of Representatives vote

Why it matters

This matters because the shutdown created a critical breakdown in national transportation security infrastructure, forcing tens of thousands of security workers to labor without compensation and causing mass resignations that left airports vulnerable and travelers stranded for hours. The situation highlights the broader political conflict over immigration enforcement practices and accountability, particularly following fatal incidents involving ICE agents. The disruption affects millions of travelers and demonstrates how funding disputes can severely impact essential government services and public safety.

What's next

The funding package faces a vote in the House of Representatives
President Trump will sign an executive order to immediately pay out TSA agents
Democrats seek to negotiate measures including ending masks for ICE agents, banning racial profiling, and requiring judicial warrants before agents enter private property

Read full article from source: BBC