Senate Fails to Advance DHS Funding Bill Again

Democrats block bill, demand reforms to ICE and CBP before approving funding

Mar. 21, 2026 at 1:45am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The U.S. Senate once again failed to advance a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security on Friday, as Democrats continue to insist on reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before approving the agency's funding. This marks the fifth time since the DHS shutdown began in mid-February that the funding bill has failed to pass the Senate.

Why it matters

The ongoing funding impasse has left many federal workers unpaid and travelers facing long lines at airports as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees work without pay. Democrats are demanding changes to ICE and CBP in the wake of controversial incidents involving the agencies, while Republicans want to pass a full DHS funding package without piecemeal approaches.

The details

The bill put forward by Republicans on Friday would have funded all of DHS, but needed 60 votes to advance and fell short 47-37. Democrats have said they will only fund the department if changes are made to ICE, such as requiring body cameras, judicial warrants, and unmasking officers. Negotiations continue, with a bipartisan group of lawmakers meeting with Border Czar Tom Homan, but significant divides remain between the parties.

  • The DHS funding shutdown began in mid-February 2026.
  • The Senate voted on the latest funding bill on March 21, 2026.

The players

Patty Murray

The top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

John Thune

The Senate Majority Leader.

Tom Homan

The Border Czar who has been meeting with lawmakers.

Mark Warner

A Democratic Senator.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Democrats have been very clear what we are asking for here since late January, and our asks have not changed.”

— Patty Murray, The top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee

“We're going to find out if Dems are serious. There were a couple of areas yesterday that they had identified, in additions to some of the, you know, reforms the administration had recommended that to me could find a path forward.”

— John Thune, The Senate Majority Leader

“This needs to be resolved. I mean, there are genuine disputes about ICE reforms. I think no one wants to see a return of what we saw in Minneapolis. But that doesn't mean we should be holding the rest of these federal employees hostage again.”

— Mark Warner, Democratic Senator

What’s next

The next critical meeting between lawmakers and Border Czar Tom Homan is scheduled for later on Friday, March 21, 2026, which could determine if there is any path forward on DHS funding.

The takeaway

The ongoing impasse over DHS funding highlights the deep partisan divisions in Congress, as Democrats demand reforms to ICE and CBP before approving funding, while Republicans want to pass a full funding package without concessions. The impact on federal workers and travelers underscores the need for a bipartisan compromise, but the two sides remain far apart on the path forward.