Senate Dems Block Bill to Pay DHS Workers Including Coast Guard, Secret Service

Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked legislation to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security, prolonging a partial shutdown that is now stretching into another week as partisan tensions remain high.

The Senate voted 50-45 against invoking cloture on a motion to advance a full-year DHS appropriations bill. Because 60 votes were required to move forward, the measure stalled — leaving key homeland security operations in limbo.

The funding lapse directly affects personnel within the Transportation Security Administration, the Coast Guard, the Secret Service, and FEMA. It marks the second DHS-related shutdown attributed to Democratic opposition since September.

Standoff After Negotiations Collapse

Back in January, appropriators reached a tentative agreement that passed the House with support from six moderate Democrats. But talks unraveled following the shooting of Alex Pretti by immigration agents in Minneapolis — a development Senate Democrats cited in rejecting the compromise and reigniting the impasse.

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman was the only Democrat to side with Republicans in voting to advance the bill. Meanwhile, Sen. Mitch McConnell returned to the chamber after recovering from a brief illness marked by flu-like symptoms.

Negotiators on both sides acknowledged Tuesday that progress has been minimal in recent days.

“So far, they have not budged on the key issues,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters.

Democrats are demanding changes to how the Trump administration carries out immigration enforcement, making those reforms a condition for approving DHS funding. Schumer has specifically pushed for unmasking immigration agents and tightening warrant requirements — proposals Republicans argue would undermine officer safety and operational effectiveness.

“So far, we’ve heard crickets from them. Nothing. They’re not negotiating, ” Schumer said. “They’re just trying to pass paper back and forth with no new changes.”

When asked whether President Donald J. Trump’s public comments about the shutdown could influence talks, Schumer responded, “It depends what he says.”

The White House has not issued a formal counteroffer to Democrats’ most recent proposal, submitted roughly a week ago. Republicans, for their part, contend that Democrats’ offer largely mirrors their initial 10-point framework — leaving little room for movement.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune described the current talks as “informal,” saying negotiators are continuing dialogue in hopes of finding a workable “landing spot.”

“The conversations — they continue, but I wouldn’t say there’s been a, necessarily, a breakthrough yet. … I hope that we get it funded,” Thune said, noting that DHS employees — most of whom are still required to report to duty — could miss paychecks by week’s end.

“I’m hoping that there’s a breakthrough here soon,” he continued. “I know there are sincere discussions going on, I know at least from a White House standpoint, and hopefully from the Democrat standpoint as well.”

Democrats had also blocked a prior vote to fund DHS before the Presidents Day recess, ensuring the shutdown would take effect.

Administration Increases Pressure

With negotiations stalled, the administration has shifted tactics in an effort to bring Democrats back to the table.

Among the most notable moves was a temporary suspension of Global Entry and TSA PreCheck — widely used programs designed to expedite airport screening for pre-approved travelers. While TSA PreCheck was quickly reinstated, the initial suspension sparked criticism from Democrats, who argued that similar steps were not taken during the record 43-day shutdown last fall.

The travel-related announcements coincided with FEMA pausing certain “non-emergency recovery work,” and members of Congress losing courtesy airport escorts — moves seen as part of a broader strategy to highlight the real-world consequences of the funding gap.

Sen. Mark Warner, whose state includes Dulles International Airport, emphasized the importance of Global Entry, stating it helps “pre-approved, low-risk travelers” achieve “expedited entry” into the U.S.”

According to reporting from The Hill, more than 18 million people used Global Entry in 2025, saving over 300,000 officer hours at 79 ports of entry.

Border Security at the Center

At its core, the dispute underscores a deeper philosophical divide. President Trump, now serving his second term, has made border enforcement and immigration control central pillars of his administration. Democrats, however, are tying DHS funding to policy concessions that critics argue would weaken federal enforcement efforts.

As the standoff continues, thousands of homeland security personnel remain on the job without guaranteed pay — and the broader question lingers: will Senate Democrats fund the very agency tasked with securing the border and protecting American communities?