US Senate funding deal for DHS amid government shutdown and political disputes
Consensus Summary
The US Senate passed a funding package for most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on [date implied] to end a five-week shutdown caused by a budget standoff beginning on 13 February 2026. The deal funds TSA and the Coast Guard but excludes ICE and part of CBP, reflecting Democratic demands for immigration reforms after two US citizens were killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis. TSA workers, who have gone unpaid since mid-February, faced long security lines and high absenteeism as the dispute dragged on. While the Senate approved the package by voice vote, the House must still act for agencies to reopen. Donald Trump announced an executive order to pay TSA agents immediately, though the source of funding was unclear. Democrats and Republicans traded blame, with Schumer vowing to block further funding for Trump’s immigration operations without reforms, while Republican Senator Susan Collins accused Democrats of weakening national security. The funding dispute highlights deeper political divisions over immigration policy and executive authority, with Trump’s threats to deploy ICE agents to airports and his calls to end the Senate filibuster adding to the tension. Both articles confirm the exclusion of ICE funding and the TSA’s unpaid status, but differ on specifics like Trump’s timing of executive actions and market reactions to the Iran war.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The US Senate approved a funding package for most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on [date implied: late Feb/early March 2026], ending a budget standoff that began on 13 February 2026.
- The funding package excludes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and part of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), while funding the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and US Coast Guard.
- TSA staff have worked without pay since mid-February 2026 due to the funding lapse, leading to long security lines at airports and some workers calling in sick or quitting.
- The Senate approved the funding package by voice vote in a rare overnight session, but the House of Representatives must still act before agencies can reopen.
- Donald Trump announced on 22 February 2026 he would sign an executive order instructing DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to immediately pay TSA agents, citing an 'emergency situation'.
- The Senate failed to pass an amendment to the Save America Act requiring photo ID for voting, voting 52-47 (falling short of the 60 votes needed).
- The funding dispute stems from Democratic demands for reforms to Trump’s immigration operations, including after the deaths of US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by ICE agents.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Republican Senator Susan Collins criticized Democrats for damaging Congress’ annual funding process, weakening national security, and setting a 'precedent they may one day regret'.
- US markets saw their biggest slump since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran on 22 February 2026, with the Dow closing 450 points down, S&P 500 down 1.7%, and Nasdaq falling 2.3% into correction territory.
- The Treasury Department announced US paper currency will soon feature President Donald Trump’s signature to commemorate the 250th anniversary, removing the Treasurer’s signature for the first time since 1861.
- Trump urged Republicans to terminate the Senate filibuster during a cabinet meeting on 22 February 2026.
- Trump claimed Iran was letting 10 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as a 'goodwill gesture' and repeated that Iran is 'begging to make a deal'.
- The White House plans to renovate the Treaty Room into a guest bedroom with an en suite bathroom, according to the New York Times.
- The US has spent approximately $30-40 billion and Israel $300 million per day in a war that Trump predicted would last four days but has entered its fourth week without progress.
- The Biden EPA’s 2024 determination that formaldehyde exposure increases cancer risk was reversed by the Trump EPA in late 2025, relying on industry-funded studies by Rory Conolly, despite prior EPA findings of their unreliability.
- A three-day meeting in 2023 between the EPA and formaldehyde producers, users, and trade groups included presentations by Conolly, according to documents obtained via FOIA by the Environmental Defense Fund.
- The funding package explicitly excludes ICE and part of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as stated by Chuck Schumer’s office.
- Trump said on 25 February 2026 that Republicans should not reach a DHS funding agreement until Democrats approve the Save America Act requiring proof of US citizenship for voter registration.
- Trump threatened to deploy ICE agents to airports until Democrats agree to a DHS budget bill.
- TSA absences reached their highest level since the partial government shutdown began over the weekend of 23-24 February 2026, according to DHS data.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states Trump’s executive order to pay TSA agents was signed on 22 February 2026, while Article 2 does not specify a date for Trump’s executive action announcement but implies it was before the Senate vote.
- Article 1 reports Trump’s claim that Iran is letting 10 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as a 'goodwill gesture' without verification, while Article 2 does not mention this claim.
- Article 1 states the Senate failed to pass the photo ID amendment on 22 February 2026, while Article 2 does not specify the date of the failed amendment vote but confirms it did not pass.
- Article 1 mentions Trump’s criticism of Democrats damaging national security and setting a precedent, while Article 2 does not include this specific quote or criticism from Collins.
- Article 1 reports the Dow closed 450 points down on 22 February 2026 due to the Iran war, while Article 2 does not mention market performance or the connection to the Iran conflict.
Source Articles
Senate approves funding deal for most of DHS, ending shutdown – US politics live
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US Senate passes funding package for Homeland Security that excludes ICE
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