Senate Fails to Advance DHS Funding Bill Again

Democrats block bill, demand ICE reforms before approving funding

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:45pm

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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 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 fight has left many federal workers unpaid and travelers facing long lines at airports as Transportation Security Administration employees work without pay. Democrats are demanding changes to ICE policies following the shooting deaths of two individuals by federal law enforcement earlier this year, while Republicans are unwilling to approve funding without the reforms.

The details

The bill put forward by Republicans on Friday would have needed 60 votes to advance in the Senate, but fell short by a vote of 47-37. Parts of DHS, including FEMA and TSA, remain shut down amid the funding dispute. Democrats say they will continue to block funding until their demands on body cameras, judicial warrants and unmasking officers are met, while Republicans argue Democrats are treating the issue as a political one.

  • The DHS shutdown began in mid-February 2026.
  • The Senate vote on the funding bill took place on March 16, 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 met with lawmakers to discuss DHS funding.

Mark Warner

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

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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 determine if there can be any movement on funding the Department of Homeland Security.

The takeaway

The ongoing funding dispute over the Department of Homeland Security highlights the deep partisan divide in Congress, with Democrats demanding reforms to ICE before approving funding, while Republicans refuse to accept a piecemeal approach. The impasse has left federal workers unpaid and travelers facing long airport lines, underscoring the need for a bipartisan compromise.