Senate GOP Accused of Failing to Expose Democrats on DHS Funding

Rep. John Rose criticizes Senate Republicans for not challenging Democrats on DHS budget bill that excluded many workers

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:24pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic office space with a single desk and chair in the center, the room bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of solitude and uncertainty.The partisan stalemate over DHS funding leaves many federal workers in limbo, their paychecks delayed as political gridlock persists.Washington Today

Rep. John Rose, a Republican from Tennessee, has accused Senate Republicans of missing an opportunity to expose Democrats for opposing full funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Rose says Senate GOP members could have forced Democrats to go on record opposing funding for DHS employees, including border patrol agents and ICE officers, but chose not to do so.

Why it matters

The partial government shutdown has left many DHS employees, including those working for agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), without pay for weeks. This has raised concerns about the impact on national security and public safety, as well as the financial hardship faced by these federal workers.

The details

On Friday morning at 3 a.m., five Republican senators, including John Thune of South Dakota, rushed through a DHS funding deal that excluded many DHS immigration officers and employees. On Monday morning, the Senate adjourned without any Republican senator introducing the House version of the DHS funding bill, which Rep. Rose says is the only acceptable version. Rose argues that a single Republican senator could have forced Democrats to go on record opposing full DHS funding, but they chose not to do so.

  • On Friday, March 28, at 3 a.m., five Republican senators rushed through a DHS funding deal that excluded many DHS workers.
  • On Monday, March 30, the Senate adjourned until Thursday without any Republican senator introducing the House version of the DHS funding bill.

The players

Rep. John Rose

A Republican Congressman from Tennessee who has criticized Senate Republicans for not challenging Democrats on DHS funding.

Sen. John Thune

A Republican Senator from South Dakota who was one of the five senators who rushed through the DHS funding deal that excluded many DHS workers.

Rep. Mike Johnson

The Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives who is strongly opposed to letting the Senate's DHS funding bill pass.

Chris Coons

A Democratic Senator who Rep. Rose says planned to object to the House version of the DHS funding bill, which would have killed the bill that fully funds border patrol agents and ICE officers.

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What they’re saying

“Let me explain what just happened in our Republican-controlled Senate this morning. ANY single Republican senator could have sought recognition from the chair this morning. That senator could have asked unanimous consent to take up the bipartisan DHS funding bill the House passed Friday, which fully funds DHS.”

— Rep. John Rose, Republican Congressman from Tennessee

“The senate bill paid TSA but thousands of CBP & ICE professional staff will not be paid. The last paid work day for me was February 13. Now senate on paid vacation until April 13 that is a guarantee for 2 months no pay. Very likely we won't be paid until May if [House Speaker Mike] Johnson lets the bill pass.”

— CBP Employee

What’s next

House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated he is strongly opposed to letting the Senate's DHS funding bill pass, so it remains to be seen if he will allow it to move forward.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the partisan gridlock in Congress over DHS funding, with Democrats and Republicans trading blame. It also raises concerns about the impact on national security and the financial hardship faced by DHS employees who have gone weeks without pay.