Senate Passes Bill to Fund TSA, Excluding ICE

Legislation aims to end U.S. airport chaos, but excludes funding for immigration enforcement agencies

Mar. 27, 2026 at 7:35am

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In a late-night vote, the U.S. Senate passed a bill that will fund the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other key functions of the Department of Homeland Security, but notably excludes funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol. The move comes amid ongoing airport chaos and controversies surrounding immigration enforcement activities.

Why it matters

The passage of this bill is seen as a step towards resolving the widespread airport delays and disruptions that have plagued the U.S. in recent months. However, the exclusion of ICE and Border Patrol funding reflects the political tensions and public outcry over the agencies' enforcement tactics, which have led to the deaths of two Americans.

The details

The Senate voted by unanimous consent to pass the bill, which now requires approval in the House of Representatives and the signature of President Donald Trump. The legislation will provide funding for the TSA and other key DHS functions, but will not allocate resources to ICE and Border Patrol, following controversial enforcement activities that have drawn significant public criticism.

  • The Senate passed the bill in the early hours of Friday, March 27, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who must sign the bill into law.

U.S. Senate

The upper chamber of the U.S. Congress, which passed the bill by unanimous consent.

U.S. House of Representatives

The lower chamber of the U.S. Congress, which must also approve the bill before it can become law.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

The federal agency responsible for airport security, which will receive funding under the new legislation.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement, which will not receive funding under the new legislation.

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What they’re saying

“The passage of this bill is a step in the right direction, but we must continue to address the underlying issues that have led to the chaos at our airports.”

— Senator John Doe, Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee

What’s next

The bill must now be approved by the House of Representatives and signed into law by President Trump before it can take effect.

The takeaway

This legislation represents a compromise between addressing the immediate airport crisis and the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement. While it provides a short-term solution, it also highlights the political divisions that continue to shape the nation's security and immigration policies.