Sadly, we dive into the chaos of procedures, party disputes, and institutional rivalries. The Senate approved a funding measure by voice vote to reopen most of the Department of Homeland Security, except for Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The frontline troops are financed through the big, impressive bill. Its civilian staff is not. The Senate passed this around 3 am and then left town. They aren't expected to return until April 13.
Speaker Johnson: This gambit that was done last night is a JOKE!
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 27, 2026
He's absolutely LIVID. pic.twitter.com/hGl7sWHtjX
Meanwhile, House members were outraged that they were not consulted, believing that the partial funding of DHS, one of 12 key appropriations measures each year, shouldn’t be managed this way. They are relying on a 60-day continuing resolution, which means the DHS shutdown will continue for at least another two weeks. The good news is that TSA agents will be paid, thanks to President Trump signing an order permitting reserve monies from last year's tax cut bill to be released (via NBC News):
Mike Johnson confirms:
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 27, 2026
- 60 day clean CR passed tonight or tomorrow am
- The senate bill is going right into the shredder
- Negotiations with Democrats could continue
- He's spoken with President Trump
- OMB is processing TSA paychecks RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/CoQ8V30ADi
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced Friday he will hold a House vote on a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security on a short-term basis for 60 days.
Johnson blasted the Senate-passed bill that funds all of DHS except Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, calling it “a joke.”
He placed full blame for it on Democrats, even though Republicans control the Senate and the bill passed by unanimous consent.
“They have taken hostage the funding processes of government so that they can impose their radical agenda on the American people,” Johnson said.
The Senate left town for a two-week recess, and Democratic senators have vowed to block funding for ICE and CBP without restraints on immigration enforcement operations.
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Yes, but Democrats caused this mess by shutting down DHS over Presidents’ Day weekend. They also didn’t get their de-masking of ICE agents or judicial-warrant concessions, and now John Thune says that won't be included in the proposed reconciliation package planned to fund the rest of DHS.
We’re back to square one, but Democrats got nothing. The bad news is that TSA agents remain strained. Also, for House members, I can see why they’re livid beyond the procedural jamming by the Senate: they passed everything, including DHS funding, earlier this year. The government was funded through September, with Democrats’ votes for ICE.
So, yes, a “win” since Democrats won’t get ICE concessions, but now the GOP punted on re-opening DHS.
Yeah, it looks like we got outmaneuvered, though likely entirely by accident, since the Schumer-Jeffries brain trust is discount-level. But Nancy Pelosi is still around. No doubt she’s been doing some talking, and she knows how to do a great many things.
FULL INTERVIEW W/ @SpeakerJohnson ... just aired live on SALEM coast to coast. The Speaker is angry...says OMB is processing paychecks for TSA ... says TRUMP agrees with House GOP position...lots of news in here! They will pass a 60 day clean, full CR for DHS tonight or tomorrow. https://t.co/9V4NWVqcwk
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) March 27, 2026
Here's the order for paying TSA:
As the Democrat-caused shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues well into its sixth week, America's air travel system has reached its breaking point. This is an unprecedented emergency situation. Currently, more than 60,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees, including approximately 50,000 transportation security officers who perform security functions at domestic airports, are not being paid due to congressional Democrats' reckless decision to prioritize criminal illegal aliens over American citizens and shut down DHS until their demand to prohibit enforcement of Federal immigration law is met.
Since the shutdown began, nearly 500 transportation security officers have left their positions, and thousands more have begun to call out sick at record rates due to lack of pay. As a result, security wait times at some airports have reached untenable lengths of three or more hours. These increased wait times, combined with declining morale among TSA staff, unacceptably heighten the risk of security vulnerabilities within our domestic travel system and has negatively impacted countless Americans.
If Democrats in the Congress will not act to honor the service of our TSA officers, who are now performing their critical public safety responsibilities without knowing whether they will be able to buy food for their families or pay their rent, then my Administration will take action. As President of the United States, I have determined that these circumstances constitute an emergency situation compromising the Nation's security.
Accordingly, I hereby direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to use funds that have a reasonable and logical nexus to TSA operations to provide TSA employees with the compensation and benefits that would have accrued to them if not for the Democrat-led DHS shutdown, consistent with applicable law, including 31 U.S.C. 1301(a).
Once regular funding for TSA has been restored, every effort should be made, as authorized by law, to adjust applicable funding accounts within DHS to ensure the continuation of DHS operations and activities consistent with planned expenditures prior to the lapse.
Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
DONALD J. TRUMP
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