House Democrats Block DHS Funding as Shutdown Enters 40th Day

Democrats Stand Firm as DHS Shutdown Continues to Disrupt Air Travel Nationwide

House Democrats largely voted against ending the Department of Homeland Security shutdown on Thursday, maintaining their position despite growing disruptions to air travel and financial hardship for thousands of federal employees. The funding measure passed the House by a 218-206 vote, marking the third attempt by House Speaker Mike Johnson to end the second-longest funding lapse in U.S. history, which began on February 14.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), would fund the department through September. Only four Democrats broke ranks to support the measure: Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Jared Golden of Maine, Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez of Washington, and Don Davis of North Carolina.

Despite passing the House, the legislation faces significant obstacles in the Senate, where bipartisan negotiations continue without a clear resolution in sight. The political impasse comes as lawmakers could potentially leave for recess before reaching an agreement, further extending the shutdown.

The standoff centers on Democratic demands for reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), two agencies executing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Democratic leadership is insisting on substantial changes, including requirements for judicial warrants, which Republicans argue would hamper law enforcement operations.

“We want ICE to be compelled to conduct itself like every other law enforcement agency in the country,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters Wednesday. “Immigration enforcement should be fair, just and humane—that’s not what’s happening right now. ICE is out of control, and taxpayer dollars are being used in unacceptable ways.”

The impact of the shutdown has been particularly severe at airports across the country, where the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is facing critical staffing shortages. More than 50,000 TSA personnel are set to miss their second full paycheck on Friday, contributing to nearly 500 agents quitting their jobs and a surge in callouts. This has resulted in security checkpoint wait times stretching to hours at major airports.

Adam Stahl, TSA’s Acting Deputy Administrator, revealed that some personnel—many of whom live paycheck to paycheck—are sleeping in their cars and selling blood plasma to make ends meet during the funding lapse.

Republicans have criticized Democrats for using federal employees as political leverage. “They’re using TSA agents, Coast Guardsmen and other DHS employees as pawns in their political game,” Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger told Fox News Digital. “They’re just demonstrating a real willingness to hold hostage the American public.”

The GOP has also invoked public safety concerns in their push for full DHS funding. Speaker Johnson highlighted the recent murder of 18-year-old college student Sheridan Gorman in Chicago, allegedly by a Venezuelan immigrant who had been taken into custody by federal authorities in May 2023 but was subsequently released.

“Democrats in the House are demanding a DHS bill that would eliminate funding for the exact agencies that are tasked with preventing a tragedy like this,” Johnson said during a House GOP leadership press conference. “They tell you what they prioritize. And it is the welfare of criminal illegal aliens over American citizens.”

When asked about Gorman’s murder, Jeffries told Fox News he would look into the case without further comment.

As the shutdown approaches its 50th day, pressure continues to mount on both parties to find a resolution that addresses border security concerns while ensuring essential homeland security functions can resume normal operations.