Bill to fund Homeland Security fails again as concern grows about
airport lines
[March 21, 2026]
By KEVIN FREKING
WASHINGTON (AP) — A bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security
failed to advance Friday in the Senate amid growing concerns about long
lines to get through screening at some of the country's biggest
airports.
Democrats declined to provide the support needed to move the funding
measure toward final passage. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.,
said he would offer an alternative measure Saturday to fund just the
Transportation Security Administration, which screens passengers and
luggage for hazardous items. That too is likely to fail as lawmakers
hold a rare weekend session.
Behind the scenes, work toward resolving the standoff intensified 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.
Democratic lawmakers left the meeting with Homan without commenting.
Sen. Susan Collins, the Republican chair of the Senate Appropriations
Committee, said the White House has added to its offer in hopes of
resolving the standoff, but declined to go into specifics.
“It's a very fair, reasonable offer,” Collins said, adding she hoped the
two sides would meet again Saturday. “But that depends on whether the
Democrats come back with a response.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said that he sees “deal
space” coming out of the discussions with the White House. But he also
questioned whether Democrats were serious about reaching any agreement
that would provide more money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“This is a pox on everybody’s house," Thune said. "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.”
On the Senate floor, Schumer said he agreed that TSA needs to be
reopened as quickly as possible — but not under the terms Republicans
are offering, which is to fund the entire Homeland Security department.
Democrats are looking to fund TSA while continuing negotiations on
Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“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,” Schumer
said.
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Air travelers endure long lines and two-hour wait times at the TSA
security check point at Terminal E at the George Bush
Intercontinental Airport Friday, March 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP
Photo/Michael Wyke)
The vast majority of employees at TSA are considered essential and
continue to work during the government funding lapse, but they are
doing so without pay. Call-out rates have started to increase at
some airports, leading to longer screening times for many
passengers.
Democrats have demanded an array of policy changes as part of a
funding bill that include requiring ICE agents to get a warrant from
a judge before forcefully entering homes. They also are looking to
require agents to wear identifying information on their uniforms and
ban the use of masks.
“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,” said Sen. Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat on the Senate
Appropriations Committee.
The Trump administration says it has agreed to several changes
already, including expanded use of body-worn cameras, with an
exception for undercover operations, and limited civil enforcement
activities at certain sensitive locations, such as hospitals,
schools and places of worship. Republicans also note that Trump has
fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and put Homan in
charge of operations in Minneapolis, actions they say show the
administration's intent to make changes in ICE's operations.
Congress is scheduled to go on an extended break near the end of the
month for a two-week Easter recess. Thune has threatened to keep
senators in Washington if the impasse is not resolved.
“I can’t see us taking a break if the government is still shut
down,” Thune said.
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