House Republicans s have rejected a bipartisan deal to reopen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). They approved a different plan instead. This decision prolongs the shutdown, causing huge delays at airports.
Their Senate colleagues supported a bill that would reopen most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It excludes funding for immigration agencies to gain the Democrats’ support.
House Republican leaders rejected the bill, with Speaker Mike Johnson labeling it a “joke”.
TSA agents, who manage US airport security, have not been paid in more than a month due to the impasse. Congress is now heading into a two-week break.
Still, House Republicans are demanding that the legislation include money for immigration enforcement. Their plan would mean funding DHS at current levels for 60 days. This includes funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
They passed the measure in a 213 to 203 vote late on Friday. The bill will head back to the Senate for approval. Top Democrat Chuck Schumer described it as “dead on arrival” in the upper chamber.
Democrats have pushed to halt funding to immigration agencies covered under DHS without reforms.
President Donald Trump signed an order for TSA to get paid, upending House Republicans bill.
President Donald Trump signed an order directing his administration to pay hundreds of airport security agents. The DHS posted on X late on Friday: “TSA officers should start seeing paychecks as early as Monday, March 30.”
The move is bound to face legal and political challenges. The US Constitution assigns to Congress the authority to authorize federal spending.
There has been widespread disruption at airports across the US. Travellers are facing hours-long queues. This is due to a shortage of TSA officers at security checkpoints.
Approximately 50,000 TSA agents have been working without pay since mid-February. This situation has decreased the number of agents reporting for duty each day and has resulted in hundreds resigning.
Besides, only one third to 50% of TSA checkpoints are operating. Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System, provided this information.
Democrats want any deal on DHS funding to include several measures. They want an end to ICE agents wearing masks. They also demand a ban on racial profiling. Additionally, they need judicial warrants to be issued before agents can enter private property.