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

Senate Democrats blocked a bill intended to fund agencies within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday, which means a partial shutdown will continue throughout this week as both parties remain entrenched in their positions. The Senate voted 50 to 45 against invoking cloture on the motion to move forward with a full-year DHS spending bill, which required 60 votes to advance.

Personnel with TSA, the Coast Guard, the Secret Service, and FEMA are affected by the shutdown, which is the second one attributed to Democrats since September.

In January, appropriators reached a deal on a funding bill, which passed the House with support from six moderate Democrats. However, the shooting of Alex Pretti by immigration agents in Minneapolis disrupted the negotiations and led Senate Democrats to reject the agreement, resulting in an ongoing stalemate.

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Sen. John Fetterman from Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to join all Republicans in support of the measure. Senator Mitch McConnell from Kentucky returned to the chamber for the first time this month after recovering from a brief illness that presented flu-like symptoms.

On Tuesday, negotiators acknowledged that there has been little progress in discussions regarding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in recent days.

“So far, they have not budged on the key issues,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters at a press conference Tuesday.

Democrats have been calling for reforms in the way the Trump administration conducts its immigration enforcement campaign as a condition for funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). On Tuesday, Schumer specifically highlighted the need to unmask agents and tighten warrant requirements—both of which are top priorities for Democrats in their negotiations, noted The Hill.

“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 Trump’s potential comments about the government shutdown could impact negotiations, Schumer replied, “It depends what he says.”
The White House has not yet issued a formal counteroffer to the Democratic negotiators following the minority party’s most recent proposal submitted about a week ago. Republicans have expressed similar concerns to Schumer, accusing Democrats of presenting an offer that closely resembles their initial 10-point plan.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters that discussions at the moment are “informal,” while negotiators are keeping up dialogue in order to find a “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 workers, most of whom have been required to report to work, are at risk of missing a paycheck at the end of the week.

“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 also blocked a vote to fund DHS prior to the Presidents Day recess, which ensured the shutdown would go into effect.

With no agreement in sight, the administration has changed its tactics in an effort to bring Democrats closer to a deal. One key action was the decision to suspend Global Entry and TSA PreCheck—popular programs that allow passengers to expedite their way through airport security.

Although the suspension of TSA PreCheck was quickly reversed, these maneuvers frustrated Democrats. They pointed out that the administration did not implement similar actions during the record 43-day shutdown last fall, arguing that such measures are ultimately detrimental to the American public.

The travel announcements coincided with FEMA’s decision to pause “non-emergency recovery work,” and congressional members will no longer receive courtesy airport escorts.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), who represents Dulles International Airport, stated on Tuesday that Global Entry is designed to assist “pre-approved, low-risk travelers” in achieving “expedited entry” into the U.S.

He noted that more than 18 million individuals used the program in 2025, saving over 300,000 officer hours at 79 ports of entry, The Hill reported.