Senate Democrat Defends DHS Shutdown Tactics

ABC's Jonathan Karl presses Sen. Chris Van Hollen on Democrats' strategy amid the ongoing partial government shutdown.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 3:28pm

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In a heated exchange on ABC's This Week, Jonathan Karl challenged Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) over the Democrats' tactics in the now 44-day partial government shutdown impacting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Van Hollen defended the party's stance, arguing they want to fully fund TSA and other DHS agencies, but are unwilling to provide additional funding for ICE amid concerns over its 'lawless operations'. Karl pushed back, noting that ICE already has its budget secured, yet Democrats are still blocking funding for the broader DHS.

Why it matters

The ongoing DHS shutdown has disrupted government operations and raised concerns about national security, with both parties accusing the other of political gamesmanship. This exchange highlights the deep partisan divide over immigration enforcement and the Democrats' strategy of using the budget process to force reforms at ICE.

The details

In the interview, Karl pressed Van Hollen on what Democrats have gained from the six-week standoff, noting that Republicans have 'relented' on the funding dispute. Van Hollen argued that Democrats have made clear they want to fully fund TSA and other DHS agencies, while demanding reforms to ICE's 'lawless operations'. However, Karl pointed out that ICE's budget is already secured, yet Democrats are still blocking funding for the broader DHS.

  • The DHS shutdown has been ongoing for over 44 days as of March 29, 2026.

The players

Jonathan Karl

ABC News correspondent who interviewed Sen. Van Hollen on This Week.

Chris Van Hollen

Democratic senator from Maryland who defended his party's tactics in the DHS shutdown.

Steve Scalise

Republican congressman from Louisiana who was a previous guest on the show.

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What they’re saying

“We're not holding up all of the money for all the Department of Homeland Security. That's just a false statement. We have said repeatedly, repeatedly, we should fund TSA. We should fund FEMA. We should fund the Coast Guard. We are not prepared to give ICE another $10 billion on top of the monies they already have and are using in many of these lawless operations. We're not going to give them another $10 billion.”

— Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Senator

“Unless it doesn't include money for ICE, a very reformed ICE, that's right.”

— Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The House is expected to vote again on a DHS funding bill in the coming days, with Democrats continuing to demand reforms to ICE operations as a condition of their support.

The takeaway

The partisan standoff over the DHS shutdown underscores the deep divisions between Democrats and Republicans on immigration enforcement, with neither side willing to back down. The dispute highlights the challenges of governing amid heightened political polarization, even on issues of national security.