The Senate unanimously approved funding for most DHS agencies in an overnight session but excluded ICE and border patrol. The measure funds the TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, FEMA and CISA, though House approval is still required for agencies to fully reopen. Lawmakers remain divided: Republicans say ICE and border patrol were funded elsewhere, while Democrats insist they held firm to demand reforms tied to those agencies.
Senate Unanimously Approves Funding For Most DHS Agencies Overnight, Excluding ICE And Border Patrol
U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks to the media at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 26, 2026. - Nathan Howard/Reuters
The Senate in an uncommon late-night session unanimously approved a bill to fund most components of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) while leaving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and border-patrol elements of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) unfunded. The move secures short-term pay and operations for several agencies but still requires action by the House before those components can fully resume normal operations.
What the Measure Covers
The agreement provides funding for agencies including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the U.S. Coast Guard, FEMA and CISA, and includes provisions aimed at strengthening security at ports of entry. Senate leaders said parts of CBP related to customs received funding, but border patrol remains excluded.
Why Lawmakers Moved Overnight
Negotiations collapsed earlier in the evening, and senators pivoted to approve what they could by unanimous consent. The funding impasse had left thousands of TSA agents and other DHS employees temporarily unpaid, contributing to travel delays and hundreds of canceled flights nationwide as lawmakers raced to resolve the dispute before a scheduled two-week recess.
Reactions From Leadership
Senate Majority Leader John Thune: "We're going to execute on as much of DHS as we can tonight, and then we'll fund the rest of it later." Thune noted Republicans had anticipated a funding standoff and said ICE and border patrol were already covered in last year's large domestic policy bill.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer: Schumer praised Senate Democrats for remaining united and said they refused to provide a "blank check for a lawless ICE and border patrol," invoking recent killings while arguing that funding should be tied to reforms.
Next Steps And Stakes
Even though the Senate passed the partial funding measure, the House must take up the bill for the affected agencies to reopen. Lawmakers remain divided: Republicans view the move as pragmatic and pre-planned, while Democrats say withholding funds from ICE and border patrol was necessary leverage to push for policy changes. Officials and travelers will be watching closely in the coming days as the House considers the measure and as leaders resume negotiations on the remaining DHS funding.
This story was updated with additional details.
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