US Senate Approves Homeland Security Funding Amidst Airport Disruption

Fri Mar 27 2026 15:33:51 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The US Senate has voted to fund the Department of Homeland Security, excluding ICE, to alleviate recent chaos at airports caused by a government shutdown. This decision aims to restore order during peak travel times as airport security personnel have faced significant pay issues.

In a decisive move, the US Senate has approved funding for the Department of Homeland Security while deliberately excluding funding for immigration enforcement. This decision comes as the country navigates a partial government shutdown which has severely impacted airport operations, leading to chaotic scenes for travelers. The measure now awaits a vote in the House of Representatives amidst ongoing tensions over immigration policy reforms.

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 in the early hours of Friday 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 disruptions 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 - which sits under the DHS - have been working without pay since mid-February due to the shutdown, which has reduced the number turning up to work each day and led to hundreds quitting.

A BBC reporter at Houston airport on Thursday night reported that after waiting about two hours in a winding queue across one floor, frazzled travelers went up an escalator thinking they had reached the end - only to find another long line stretching towards security.

The airport is currently operating just one-third to 50% of its TSA checkpoints, said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System.

Just a few hours before the Senate vote, US President Donald Trump mentioned he would sign an executive order to immediately pay out TSA Agents.

In remarks after the vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed that it was unfortunate President Trump had to step in to resolve issues for TSA workers and to ensure US air travel remained operational.

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer commended the package which includes funding for the TSA, US Coast Guard, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, while emphasizing that Democrats are seeking necessary reforms for ICE, including an end to racial profiling.

This funding package now faces a critical vote in the House of Representatives.