Handful of Democrats Join House GOP To End DHS Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and end a weeks-long partial shutdown. In a notable break from party leadership, four Democrats joined Republicans to support the measure, highlighting deepening cracks in the opposition’s strategy.

The bill cleared the House by a 221–207 vote, aiming to restore full operations through the end of the fiscal year. However, the victory was short-lived as the Senate blocked a similar measure earlier that day in a 51-45 procedural vote, falling short of the 60 votes required to advance.

Bipartisan Defection and the Senate Blockade
The four House Democrats who crossed the aisle to support the funding were Reps. Henry Cuellar (TX), Don Davis (NC), Jared Golden (ME), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA). Their support reflects a growing concern among moderate Democrats regarding the optics of a shuttered security apparatus.

In the Senate, the GOP found a lone Democratic ally in Sen. John Fetterman (PA), who was the only member of his caucus to vote with Republicans to end the stalemate. Most Democratic lawmakers continue to oppose the legislation, citing fierce disagreements over immigration enforcement policies and oversight provisions under the current administration.

Impact of the February 14 Shutdown
The DHS has been partially shut down since February 14, following the expiration of temporary funding. While essential personnel—including TSA agents, Coast Guard members, and FEMA employees—continue to work to protect the homeland, they are currently doing so without pay.

FEMA & TSA: Classified as essential; employees remain on duty despite the lack of a paycheck.

CISA: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has been forced to furlough several employees, potentially weakening defenses against infrastructure threats.

Training & Grants: Multiple DHS training programs and grant funding cycles have been suspended indefinitely.

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) slammed the Democratic resistance on the House floor, stating, “Shutting down the Department of Homeland Security over a partisan fight hasn’t changed the stakes… President Trump is not the one feeling the pain of the shutdown; it’s the agents keeping our communities safe.”