Senators Defend Two-Week Recess as Government Shutdown Drags On

DHS employees remain unpaid as Congress takes a break during record-breaking funding lapse.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:38pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly abstract, fragmented painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and waves of muted blue, gray, and red tones, conceptually representing the political turmoil and dysfunction surrounding the government shutdown.The ongoing government shutdown and partisan divisions in Congress have created a sense of political stagnation and uncertainty.NYC Today

While thousands of Department of Homeland Security employees have gone seven weeks without a paycheck, some lawmakers are defending a planned two-week congressional recess as the partial government shutdown drags on. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., objected to the idea that senators should have stayed in session, saying they are 'working every day in our home states' to meet with constituents. However, other senators like Mike Lee, R-Utah, are calling on colleagues to cancel the recess and return to Washington to resolve the funding impasse.

Why it matters

The ongoing government shutdown has left many DHS employees, including TSA agents and border patrol officers, without pay for over a month and a half. The decision by Congress to take a recess during this record-breaking funding lapse has drawn criticism, with some arguing lawmakers should remain in session to find a solution.

The details

The House of Representatives approved a two-month DHS funding extension on Friday, but Senate Democrats have refused to support the measure without sweeping reforms to President Trump's immigration policies. Republicans, meanwhile, have insisted on fully funding DHS and border enforcement. With both chambers scheduled to be in recess until mid-April, the funding impasse is likely to continue, leaving thousands of DHS employees without paychecks.

  • The government shutdown has lasted over 45 days as of March 30, 2026.
  • Congress is scheduled to be in recess for two weeks starting in early April 2026.

The players

Sen. Chris Coons

A Democratic senator from Delaware who defended the congressional recess, saying lawmakers are 'working every day in our home states' to meet with constituents.

Sen. Mike Lee

A Republican senator from Utah who called on his colleagues to cancel the recess and return to Washington to resolve the funding impasse.

House Speaker Mike Johnson

A Republican representative from Louisiana who said 'Republicans are not going to be any part of any effort to reopen our borders or to stop immigration enforcement.'

Sen. John Hoeven

A Republican senator from North Dakota who chaired a 'pro forma' Senate session and defended the planned recess, saying lawmakers are continuing to negotiate.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

A Democratic senator from New York who argued the House-passed DHS funding extension would be 'dead on arrival' in the Senate due to opposition from Democrats.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“How do you justify being off for the next two weeks? We're 45 days in. Can Democrats and Republicans keep affording to play this play game?”

— Nikole Killion, CBS News congressional correspondent

“You know very well that we're not off. We're working every day in our home states. For most of us, this is when we have time to go up and down our state and to meet with our constituents and listen to their concerns.”

— Sen. Chris Coons

“It is incredibly inconvenient for members to have to come back to Washington just to be there for five minutes. But ultimately, if that's what it takes, I'm willing to be the one who comes in again.”

— Sen. Chris Coons

“Republicans are not going to be any part of any effort to reopen our borders or to stop immigration enforcement.”

— House Speaker Mike Johnson

“We can't reward unprecedented obstruction with two-week recesses.”

— Sen. Mike Lee

What’s next

Senate Republicans are considering a second 'big, beautiful' budget reconciliation bill that could provide a three-year funding extension for the Department of Homeland Security, making it 'shutdown proof' for the remainder of President Trump's term.

The takeaway

The ongoing government shutdown and Congress' decision to take a recess during the funding lapse have exposed deep partisan divisions over immigration policy and the role of federal agencies like DHS and ICE. The impasse highlights the challenges of resolving high-stakes political disputes in an increasingly polarized Washington.