A partial government shutdown affecting agencies like TSA, Coast Guard, and FEMA continues as Senate Democrats block a House-passed bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy questioned Democrats' priorities following a synagogue attack in Michigan, while former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg acknowledged existing ICE funding. Senate votes have failed to advance the bill, highlighting partisan divides over immigration enforcement.
The ongoing Senate impasse over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding has led to a partial government shutdown, impacting pay for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), United States Coast Guard, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), though Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) funding remains unaffected with tens of billions already allocated—larger than many world militaries, according to Pete Buttigieg on CNN's State of the Union with Jake Tapper on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Buttigieg argued Republicans should allow Democratic proposals to fund most DHS components except ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which require negotiation. Democrats have blocked a House-passed bill funding the entire department, with the latest motion failing 51-46, short of the 60 votes needed; Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) was the sole Democrat supporting advancement. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) stated, “We all know that we do not have agreement on how to deal with ICE. Democrats just want ICE to behave like any police department in America and use warrants and not wear masks.” Republicans countered that Democrats refuse core immigration funding, with Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) accusing them of “gamesmanship,” saying, “The Democrats do not want to fund the Coast Guard because they’re hell-bent on defunding ICE.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) noted repeated GOP compromise offers, including short-term resolutions. On Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)'s votes against DHS funding until after an attack on Temple Israel in Michigan, where an armed attacker crashed a vehicle into the synagogue but was thwarted by security guards. Duffy asked, “Are Democrats [waiting] to get hurt, to get killed before they actually put your security before those who have come to this country unlawfully and illegally?” Democrats attempted individual funding bills for TSA, Coast Guard, and FEMA, which Republicans blocked to maintain the full package.
