Senate Fails to Advance Homeland Security Funding Bill as Airport Lines Grow

Democrats demand changes to immigration enforcement practices as negotiations continue

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:56am

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A bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security failed to advance in the Senate on Friday, as Democrats declined to provide the support needed to move the funding measure forward. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he would offer an alternative measure to fund just the Transportation Security Administration, but that too is likely to fail. Negotiations between the White House and a bipartisan group of senators have intensified, with the White House adding to its offer in hopes of resolving the standoff. However, Democrats are demanding changes to immigration enforcement practices by federal agents following recent shooting deaths.

Why it matters

The failure to fund the Department of Homeland Security has led to growing concerns about long lines at some of the country's biggest airports, as the vast majority of TSA employees are considered essential and continue to work without pay. The dispute over immigration enforcement practices has also become a key sticking point in the negotiations, with Democrats seeking to rein in what they see as a 'rogue agency'.

The details

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he would offer an alternative measure on Saturday to fund just the Transportation Security Administration, which screens passengers and luggage for hazardous items. However, that too is likely to fail as lawmakers hold a rare weekend session. Behind the scenes, work toward resolving the standoff intensified on Friday as White House border czar Tom Homan met for the second consecutive day with a bipartisan group of senators. Democrats are demanding changes to immigration enforcement practices by federal agents following the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.

  • The bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security failed to advance on Friday, March 21, 2026.
  • Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he would offer an alternative measure on Saturday, March 22, 2026.

The players

Chuck Schumer

Senate Democratic leader.

Tom Homan

White House border czar.

Susan Collins

Republican chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

John Thune

Senate Majority Leader.

Patty Murray

Ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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What they’re saying

“Tomorrow, America will see the matter crystal clear: which senators want to open up TSA, pay TSA workers, and end the chaos at our airports, and which senators are going to block TSA funding yet again.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Democratic leader

“It's a very fair, reasonable offer. But that depends on whether the Democrats come back with a response.”

— Susan Collins, Republican chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee

“This is a pox on everybody's house. You've got people standing in lines at the airports. This needs to be fixed. It needs to get resolved and there are good-faith efforts being made finally on all the relevant issues.”

— John Thune, Senate Majority Leader

“The American people have had enough of this rogue agency. We need to rein it in. And we are negotiating right now over how to do that.”

— Patty Murray, Ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee

What’s next

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The takeaway

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