Federal lawmakers took action early Friday morning to end a six-week partial government shutdown that has created significant disruptions at airports nationwide, though the core immigration disagreement that sparked the crisis remains unsettled.
The Senate approved legislation in the early morning hours that would reinstate funding for most Department of Homeland Security operations, including airport security personnel, emergency response teams, and Coast Guard members who have been working without paychecks since mid-February. The measure does not include new restrictions on DHS agents implementing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies – a central demand from Democratic lawmakers.
The House of Representatives still needs to approve the bill before it can become law, with a vote anticipated Friday.
The funding lapse has created substantial problems at airports across the nation as security staff members have either called out sick or quit their jobs due to missing paychecks. Houston and Atlanta airports warned travelers on Friday to prepare for checkpoint delays lasting up to four hours, while other major airports saw somewhat shorter wait times.
Democratic leaders blocked DHS funding following incidents where federal agents fatally shot two American citizens in Minneapolis, attempting to use their limited political power to place constraints on immigration enforcement activities that have resulted in thousands of deportations and disrupted communities nationwide.
The shutdown did not halt immigration enforcement operations since the agencies conducting these activities – Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection – had access to alternative funding sources.
The compromise bill, which received unanimous Senate approval around 2:30 a.m. Eastern Time, excludes both the Democratic-sought restrictions and additional immigration enforcement funding. Republican lawmakers are expected to pursue separate funding through an alternative legislative process that would circumvent Democratic opposition.
“Democrats held firm in our opposition that Donald Trump’s rogue and deadly militia should not get more funding without serious reforms,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer stated.
Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins criticized Democratic tactics, saying they had undermined Congress’s regular funding procedures, compromised national security, and established a dangerous precedent. “Democrats remained intransigent and unreasonable with their list of demands,” she declared.
