Senate Republicans have proposed funding the Department of Homeland Security except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, followed by a reconciliation bill to cover ICE and elements of the SAVE America Act. President Trump indicated openness to the idea on Tuesday. The partial shutdown, ongoing since mid-February, has caused long airport security lines and led Delta Airlines to suspend special services for members of Congress.
The Department of Homeland Security has been under a partial shutdown for nearly a month and a half since funding expired in mid-February, leaving Transportation Security Administration officers working without pay and causing widespread delays at airports nationwide. Travelers have faced hours-long lines, prompting airlines like Delta to pause specialty services such as airport escorts for members of Congress, treating lawmakers like other passengers based on SkyMiles status, as the airline stated to NPR due to resource constraints from the shutdown. Delta CEO Ed Bastian called the situation 'inexcusable,' noting TSA agents are being used as 'political chips.' Senate Majority Leader John Thune presented the funding plan to Trump over the weekend, which initially excluded ICE to quickly restore TSA operations. Trump rejected it at first, insisting on progress for the SAVE America Act, which requires photo ID and proof of citizenship for voting and lacks the 60 votes to pass normally. A group of GOP senators revised the proposal to include SAVE-like provisions in a later reconciliation bill, which bypasses the filibuster. Trump told reporters Tuesday afternoon, 'Well, I’m going to look at it... I want to support Republicans.' Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have pushed for ICE reforms amid concerns over enforcement, including after incidents involving immigration officers. Schumer said Saturday that talks on ICE are 'productive' but should not delay TSA funding: 'Let us end those long lines at the airport now.' Republicans need Democratic votes for the initial DHS funding bill, while skeptics like Sen. Mike Lee called passing SAVE via reconciliation 'essentially impossible.' ICE remains funded from prior legislation, and agents have been deployed to assist TSA checkpoints. Sen. John Cornyn's bill prohibiting preferential airport screening for Congress cleared the Senate last week.
