Senate Fails to Advance DHS Funding Bill Again

Democrats continue to demand reforms to ICE and CBP in exchange for agency funding

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:45am

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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) in exchange for 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 is leaving many federal workers unpaid and causing long lines at airports as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees working without pay call out. Democrats have said they will only fund DHS if changes are made to ICE and CBP, following the shooting deaths of two individuals by federal law enforcement in Minneapolis earlier this year.

The details

The funding bill put forward by Republicans on Friday would have needed 60 votes to advance in the Senate, but it fell short by a vote of 47-37. Democrats have been clear about their demands for ICE reform, including requirements for body cameras, judicial warrants, and unmasking officers. Negotiations are ongoing, with Border Czar Tom Homan meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers this week, but the two sides remain 'very far apart' on a path forward.

  • The DHS funding shutdown began in mid-February 2026.
  • The Senate voted on the latest funding bill on March 20, 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 to discuss DHS funding.

Mark Warner

A Democratic Senator who says the funding dispute needs to be resolved.

Renee Good

An individual shot and killed by federal law enforcement in Minneapolis earlier this year.

Alex Pretti

An individual shot and killed by federal law enforcement in Minneapolis earlier this year.

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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, 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, 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

Lawmakers and the Border Czar are scheduled to meet again on Friday to further discuss a path forward on DHS funding and ICE reforms.

The takeaway

The ongoing funding dispute over the Department of Homeland Security highlights the deep partisan divide in Congress, as Democrats demand reforms to ICE and CBP in exchange for approving the agency's budget. With federal workers going unpaid and travelers facing long airport lines, there is growing pressure on both sides to reach a compromise, but the two sides remain 'very far apart' on the key issues.