The Department of Homeland Security shuts down Saturday at 12:01 a.m. Senate Republicans failed to advance DHS appropriations Thursday, voting 52-47 on legislation requiring 60 votes under filibuster rules Senate Majority Leader John Thune refuses to eliminate. ICE enforcement operations continue unaffected on $75 billion from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The Transportation Security Administration designates 95% of its 61,000 employees as essential. The Coast Guard requires all 56,000 active duty, reserve and civilian personnel to work without pay. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Secret Service continue operations with unpaid essential workers. Approximately 92% of DHS employees are classified as essential.
Federal workers received paychecks Friday for the pay period ending February 7. The February 27 payday for the period ending February 21 will be delayed until Congress passes appropriations.
The House passed H.R. 7147 on January 22 by a vote of 220-207. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat voting with Republicans Thursday. Senator Katie Britt of Alabama attempted to pass a two-week funding extension by unanimous consent. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut blocked the attempt.
Three weeks ago, House and Senate negotiators reached a bipartisan agreement on DHS appropriations including $20 million for ICE body cameras, $2 million for de-escalation training, $115 million in ICE enforcement cuts, 5,500 fewer detention beds, and enhanced Inspector General oversight.
Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti on January 24 in Minneapolis. Pretti was a 37-year-old VA intensive care nurse. He was a documented protester who participated in demonstrations against ICE agents. Democrats withdrew from the bipartisan agreement after Pretti’s death.
Congress is in recess through February 22. Many senators left Thursday for the Munich Security Conference. The House is scheduled for recess the entire week following the shutdown. The lapse extends at least ten days.
Republicans control the White House, the House 220-207, and the Senate 53-47. The House-passed bill requires 60 votes under filibuster rules Thune maintains. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act provided $75 billion to ICE and $115 billion to Customs and Border Protection through September 2029. Democrats are blocking appropriations containing restrictions they negotiated. The shutdown affects agencies requiring annual appropriations while ICE operates on separate funding.
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