Republicans in the US House of Representatives have rejected a bipartisan deal to reopen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and approved a different plan that prolongs the shutdown, leading to significant disruptions at airports. The Senate had backed a bill that would have reopened most parts of DHS but excluded immigration agencies to gain Democratic support.
House Republican leaders dismissed the Senate's effort, with Speaker Mike Johnson calling the bill a 'joke'. As a result of the deadlock, TSA agents, who handle airport security operations, have not been compensated for over a month.
House Republicans are insisting that their legislation includes funding for immigration enforcement, with plans to fund the DHS at current levels—including allocations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—for an additional 60 days. Speaker Johnson asserted, 'Republicans are not going to be any part of any effort to reopen our borders or to stop immigration enforcement.'
The House passed its version of the bill in a 213 to 203 vote late Friday, sending it back to the Senate. However, Senate Democrats, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have labeled the proposal as 'dead on arrival' due to its lack of reforms aimed at immigration enforcement policies.
Congress is now heading into a two-week break, making it increasingly unlikely for new funding to pass soon. President Donald Trump has intervened, ordering back pay for TSA officers who have faced financial strain due to the shutdown. As a result, the DHS reported that TSA officers could begin receiving paychecks as early as Monday.
The airport security crisis has escalated, with widespread reports of long delays and significant staff shortages as approximately 50,000 TSA agents have been forced to work without pay. This has led to a drop in attendance and rising numbers of resignations, further complicating air travel for millions of passengers.
Amidst the political turmoil, stakeholders continue to emphasize the need for comprehensive reforms of immigration enforcement practices alongside immediate funding solutions to ensure the safety and efficiency of the nation's airport security operations.
