The House passed a Department of Homeland Security funding bill Thursday by a vote of 221-209, as the partial agency shutdown entered its 23rd day with no clear resolution in sight.
Only four Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure: Reps. Henry Cuellar (Texas), Don Davis (N.C.), Jared Golden (Maine), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.). The bill now faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where Democratic opposition appears likely to prevent passage.
The measure will require bipartisan support to overcome a Senate filibuster, but Democratic leaders have signaled strong opposition to the Republican-crafted legislation. Earlier this week, Senate Democrats blocked a similar DHS funding measure, with only Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.) voting in favor.
The ongoing shutdown has left approximately 95% of DHS employees working without pay, including critical personnel at agencies like the Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“The Constitution places the safety and security of the American people at the center of the federal government’s responsibilities,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK). “Amidst rising global tensions and natural disaster possibilities, jeopardizing security operations and emergency preparedness is the last thing anyone should be doing.”
Cole criticized Democrats for maintaining opposition to the funding measure, arguing that the shutdown undermines national security operations when they are most needed.
The shutdown’s impact has been widespread across the department’s operations. Cybersecurity functions are operating at reduced capacity during a time when federal officials warn of increased threats from foreign adversaries. Training programs for first responders have been canceled or postponed indefinitely.
Federal Emergency Management Agency grant programs, which provide crucial funding to state and local governments for disaster preparedness and counterterrorism efforts, remain inaccessible during the funding lapse. These programs typically distribute billions of dollars annually to communities nationwide.
At airports, TSA officers continue screening passengers while missing paychecks, raising concerns about workforce retention and security effectiveness. Agency officials report increased callout rates as financial pressures mount on employees.
“Our officers are dedicated professionals who continue to protect the traveling public despite not receiving their paychecks,” a TSA spokesperson said in a statement. “However, the prolonged nature of this shutdown is creating significant hardship for our workforce.”
Democratic opposition to the Republican funding bill centers on immigration enforcement policies and broader disagreements over DHS priorities. House Democratic leaders argue the measure fails to include necessary oversight provisions and policy reforms they consider essential.
“We cannot simply write a blank check for agencies without ensuring proper accountability measures are in place,” said House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). “This bill lacks the oversight and reform provisions necessary to protect American communities.”
Democrats have pushed for additional restrictions on immigration enforcement operations, including enhanced oversight of agency activities and expanded reporting requirements. They argue current policies lack sufficient accountability measures and transparency.
The funding impasse reflects broader partisan divisions over immigration policy that have persisted throughout the current Congress. Republicans maintain that robust enforcement is necessary for border security, while Democrats emphasize the need for comprehensive immigration reform and enhanced oversight.
The shutdown also affects the Department’s disaster response capabilities during a period when severe weather events continue threatening communities nationwide. FEMA’s ability to process new disaster declarations and distribute aid could face delays if the funding lapse continues.
Coast Guard operations continue under emergency protocols, but extended operations without appropriated funding could impact readiness and maintenance schedules for vessels and aircraft critical to maritime security and search-and-rescue missions.
Industry groups representing aviation and maritime sectors have urged Congress to resolve the funding dispute quickly, warning that prolonged uncertainty undermines security planning and operational effectiveness.
The current shutdown represents one of the longest funding lapses specifically affecting DHS since the department’s creation in 2003. Previous shutdowns affecting the agency have typically lasted days rather than weeks.
Budget analysts estimate the shutdown costs taxpayers millions of dollars daily through reduced efficiency, delayed operations, and potential workforce attrition. The longer-term impacts could include difficulty recruiting qualified personnel and delayed implementation of security upgrades.
With the Senate unlikely to pass the House measure in its current form, congressional leaders face pressure to negotiate a compromise that can attract bipartisan support. However, the significant policy disagreements between parties suggest any resolution may require extensive negotiations.
The timing of the funding lapse has drawn criticism from former DHS officials from both parties, who argue that national security agencies require stable, predictable funding to maintain operational readiness.
As the shutdown continues, attention turns to whether congressional leaders can find common ground on a funding resolution that addresses both Republican priorities for immigration enforcement and Democratic demands for oversight and accountability measures.
The prolonged impasse leaves critical homeland security functions operating under emergency protocols while thousands of federal employees work without paychecks, highlighting the human and operational costs of the ongoing political standoff.