The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate have both advanced legislation aimed at restoring funding for parts of the Department of Homeland Security after weeks of disruption tied to a partial shutdown. The House approved a Republican-backed bill in a 218–206 vote, with a small group of Democrats—including Henry Cuellar, Don Davis, Jared Golden, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez—joining Republicans in support. The vote marks the third time the House has attempted to pass DHS funding during the ongoing standoff.
Debate over the funding has been shaped in part by broader disagreements on immigration enforcement. Democratic lawmakers have called for policy changes and increased oversight of federal agencies following recent enforcement-related incidents that prompted investigations and legal scrutiny. Despite continued negotiations, the White House and congressional Democrats remain at odds over how to balance DHS funding with potential reforms to enforcement practices.
In response, bipartisan efforts have also emerged. Reps. Tom Suozzi and Brian Fitzpatrick, co-chairs of the Problem Solvers Caucus, are working on a proposal to reopen DHS while introducing new standards for federal law enforcement agencies. Their plan includes provisions related to training requirements, use of body cameras, independent investigations of use-of-force incidents, and clearer identification of officers during operations.
Meanwhile, the Senate passed a separate funding measure during an overnight session to restore pay for workers such as those in the Transportation Security Administration, many of whom have continued working without pay. However, the bill does not include funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or parts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. With lawmakers preparing to leave for a scheduled recess, pressure is mounting to reach a broader agreement. Recent polling suggests a closely divided political landscape ahead of the midterm elections, with each party holding advantages on different key issues.