Senate Deadlocks Again on Homeland Security Funding as Shutdown Persists

Impasse continues as Democrats refuse to back money for agency without new immigration restrictions

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:05am

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The congressional impasse over funding the Department of Homeland Security is entering its second month after the Senate on Thursday again deadlocked over providing money for the agency, even as airports continued to experience security line backups. Democrats refused to back money for the agency without significant new restrictions on federal immigration officers, while Republicans argued that Democrats' piecemeal approach was unfair to other workers who would go without pay.

Why it matters

The ongoing funding standoff has left thousands of federal employees without paychecks and disrupted key homeland security operations, raising concerns about public safety and national security as the political stalemate drags on in an election year.

The details

With Democrats refusing to back money for the agency without significant new restrictions on federal immigration officers, legislation providing new funding failed on a vote of 51-46, well short of the 60 votes required to advance the bill. All but one Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, voted no. The outcome meant that agencies including the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Coast Guard and a federal cybersecurity office would continue without funding.

  • The congressional impasse over funding the Department of Homeland Security is entering its second month.
  • The Senate deadlocked again on providing new funding for the agency on Thursday, March 13, 2026.

The players

Sen. Susan Collins

The chair of the Appropriations Committee, who said "This cannot continue this way. The stakes are far too high."

Sen. Jacky Rosen

A Democratic senator who offered a plan to fund the TSA separately, saying "Let's not have TSA officers in the middle of this fight. They don't deserve it."

Sen. Bernie Moreno

A Republican senator who proposed funding the agency without conditions for two weeks to allow time for stepped-up talks on immigration enforcement tactics.

Sen. John Fetterman

The only Democratic senator who voted in favor of the funding bill.

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What they’re saying

“This cannot continue this way. The stakes are far too high.”

— Sen. Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee (New York Times)

“Let's not have TSA officers in the middle of this fight. They don't deserve it.”

— Sen. Jacky Rosen, Democratic senator (New York Times)

“Let's fund the whole department. Let's get this over with.”

— Sen. Bernie Moreno, Republican senator (New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.