BY MIRABEL ODETA
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a stopgap plan to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for 60 days on March 27, approving the measure in a narrow 213–203 vote after intense partisan debate and mounting pressure over the ongoing partial shutdown. The short-term funding bill was introduced by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who opted for a full temporary extension after rejecting a Senate-backed proposal that would have restored funding to most of DHS while leaving out key immigration enforcement operations.
Johnson sharply criticized the Senate’s approach, arguing that it was flawed and hastily advanced. Speaking to reporters, he dismissed the measure as unserious and suggested that not all Republican senators had carefully reviewed its contents before supporting it.
Despite the disagreement over strategy, Johnson rejected the idea that Republicans in the House and Senate were fundamentally divided, instead placing blame for the prolonged shutdown on Democrats, particularly Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The shutdown, which entered its 42nd day, has become one of the longest disruptions affecting DHS operations in recent years.
Schumer responded forcefully, making clear that the House proposal would not advance in the Senate. He reiterated that Democrats are willing to fund essential homeland security functions but remain opposed to providing broad funding for immigration enforcement without policy changes. In public remarks, he characterized the proposal as unacceptable, signaling a continued stalemate between the two chambers.
Criticism also came from within the House, with Representative Chrissy Houlahan accusing Republican leadership of blocking a vote on the Senate compromise and instead promoting a partisan alternative unlikely to succeed. She argued that the impasse was having real consequences, particularly for transportation security and frontline workers, and called for a more practical resolution.
The effects of the shutdown have been especially severe for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel, many of whom have gone without pay since funding lapsed in mid-February. According to DHS figures, nearly 500 TSA agents have resigned during the shutdown period, while thousands more have reported absences, citing financial hardship and the inability to cover basic living expenses such as fuel, groceries, and housing. These staffing shortages have led to significant disruptions at airports across the country, with travelers facing long delays and extended security lines.
In response to the growing strain, President Donald Trump directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to assist at 14 airports experiencing the most severe congestion, an unusual measure aimed at easing operational pressure. He later signed an executive order on March 27 intended to ensure TSA agents would receive pay as early as March 30, bypassing the stalled congressional process. The administration framed the move as necessary to support workers performing critical public safety roles despite uncertainty over their financial stability, underscoring the urgency of resolving the broader funding dispute.
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