US Senate and House funding standoff over DHS, excluding ICE funding
Consensus Summary
The US Senate passed a funding package for most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on 29 March 2025, excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and parts of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to pressure Democrats into reforming ICE’s operations following two deaths in Minneapolis. The House rejected this deal, passing its own full DHS funding bill, prolonging the standoff that left TSA workers unpaid since mid-February and caused severe airport delays. Donald Trump intervened on 28 March with an executive order directing DHS to pay TSA staff immediately, though the source of funds was unclear. Democrats argued the Senate deal did not address ICE’s controversial practices, while Republicans criticized the exclusion of ICE as weakening border security. The dispute highlights partisan divisions over immigration enforcement and funding priorities, with both chambers now at an impasse before a potential Senate recess.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The US Senate passed a funding package for DHS (excluding ICE and part of CBP) on 29 March 2025 via voice vote in an overnight session.
- TSA staff have worked without pay since 13 February 2025 due to the funding lapse, leading to high absenteeism and airport delays.
- Donald Trump ordered executive action on 28 March 2025 to pay TSA workers immediately, directing DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to resolve the emergency.
- The House of Representatives rejected the Senate’s bipartisan DHS funding deal on 28 March 2025, passing its own full DHS funding bill (213-203).
- Senate Democrats demanded reforms to ICE operations after the deaths of US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in 2024.
- TSA officer absences reached their highest level since the partial shutdown began, with nearly 500 officers quitting or calling in sick.
- The Senate failed to pass an amendment to the Save America Act requiring voter photo ID (52-47 vote on 29 March 2025).
- US paper currency will soon feature Donald Trump’s signature for the first time since 1861, replacing the Treasury Secretary’s signature.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Donald Trump stated on 28 March 2025 that he would not sign a DHS funding deal unless Congress also passed the Save America Act (voter proof-of-citizenship bill).
- Trump said on 21 March 2025 he would put ICE agents in airports until Democrats agreed to a DHS budget bill.
- Majority Leader John Thune could not be immediately reached for comment after the Senate vote.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson called the Senate’s bipartisan DHS funding bill a ‘joke’ for excluding ICE and border patrol funding.
- The White House confirmed Trump signed a memorandum on 28 March 2025 ordering DHS to pay TSA salaries, with checks expected by 30 March 2025.
- House Democrats sought to force a House vote on the Senate’s bipartisan measure, per Hakeem Jeffries.
- Senate Republicans directed substantial extra funding to ICE and CBP in 2025, meaning their operations could continue even without DHS funding.
- Republican Senator Susan Collins criticized Democrats for damaging Congress’ funding process and weakening national security.
- The Dow closed 450 points down on 28 March 2025 due to market concerns over the Iran war and funding standoff.
- Trump urged Republicans to terminate the Senate filibuster during a cabinet meeting on 29 March 2025.
- The EPA under Trump weakened formaldehyde regulations using studies funded by chemical industry scientist Rory Conolly, per newly released documents.
- Trump claimed Iran was ‘begging to make a deal’ and letting 10 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as a ‘goodwill gesture’ on 29 March 2025.
- Trump wants to renovate the White House Treaty Room into a guest bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, per the New York Times.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states Trump said on 21 March he would put ICE agents in airports until Democrats agreed to a DHS budget, but Article 2 does not mention this specific threat.
- Article 1 reports Trump’s 28 March statement about not signing a DHS deal unless Congress passed the Save America Act, while Article 2 omits this condition entirely.
- Article 2 claims the Senate’s bipartisan bill was passed unanimously, but Article 1 does not specify the vote count beyond a ‘voice vote’.
- Article 3 states Trump’s executive order to pay TSA workers was signed on 28 March, while Article 1 does not provide a specific date for the order.
- Article 3 reports Trump’s claim that Iran was ‘letting 10 oil tankers through’ as a ‘goodwill gesture’ on 29 March, which is not mentioned in Articles 1 or 2.
Source Articles
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