Senate Fails Again To End DHS Shutdown As Airport Chaos Grows
The Senate failed for a fifth time Friday to pass legislation reopening the Department of Homeland Security, as the ongoing shutdown begins to disrupt travel across the country.
Only 84 senators were present for the latest vote, which failed to reach both the 60-vote threshold and even a simple majority.
The vote largely fell along party lines, with 46 Republicans and Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) supporting funding, while 37 Democrats led by Sen. Chuck Schumer voted against reopening the agency.
The standoff has now stretched to 35 days, with no clear resolution in sight.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Democrats were prioritizing politics over a solution.
“My impression, at least up until now, is this is all about politics for Chuck Schumer and the Democrats,” Thune said. “The far-left base is demanding that they fight the president.”
At the same time, Democrats argue Republicans are refusing to pass narrower funding bills that would keep key parts of DHS running.
“Senate Democrats have repeatedly offered to fund TSA without tying it to ICE funding,” Schumer said. “TSA agents could be paid, and airport lines could end right away if Republicans stop holding TSA hostage.”
The impact is now being felt nationwide, particularly at airports.
Transportation Security Administration workers have missed paychecks and are increasingly calling out sick or leaving their jobs altogether.
According to agency data, nearly 10% of TSA agents were absent nationwide on Thursday.
The situation is even worse at major New York airports, with nearly 29% of agents absent at JFK and nearly 16% at LaGuardia, leading to long security lines and delays.
Federal worker unions are raising alarm as the crisis deepens.
“A TSO selling plasma to keep the lights on is unconscionable,” said Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees. “Tens of thousands of families turning to food banks because Congress refuses to do its job is a national disgrace.”
Negotiations between the White House and Democrats have so far failed to produce a breakthrough.
Talks involving border czar Tom Homan continued this week, but officials acknowledged they remain far apart on immigration enforcement policies tied to the funding fight.
Some Republicans have suggested splitting the issue, funding agencies like TSA separately while addressing immigration enforcement through other legislation.
But that approach has also stalled.
As the shutdown drags on, pressure is mounting on both parties to reach a deal.
With rising airport disruptions and federal workers going unpaid, the political standoff is now having visible consequences for travelers and families across the country.