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.
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.
Thune Breaks With Trump, Backs Cornyn After Paxton Endorsement
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday he will continue supporting Sen. John Cornyn despite President Donald Trump endorsing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in one of the most closely watched Republican Senate primaries of the 2026 cycle.
Speaking to reporters following Trump’s endorsement announcement, Thune praised Cornyn as “a principled conservative” and an “effective senator” for Texas, signaling a rare split between Senate Republican leadership and the president.
“Cornyn is a principled conservative. He is a very effective senator for the state of Texas,” Thune said.
“None of us can control what the president does. That doesn’t change the way I feel. I will continue to be supportive of Senator Cornyn in his re-election,” Thune added.
The comments came just hours after Trump formally endorsed Paxton on Truth Social, delivering a major boost to the Texas attorney general as he seeks to unseat Cornyn in the Republican runoff election.
In his endorsement, Trump criticized Cornyn for insufficient loyalty during politically difficult periods of his presidency.
“Ken Paxton has been a warrior for Texas values and for our America First agenda,” Trump wrote. He added that Cornyn “was not supportive of me when times were tough.”
The endorsement immediately intensified an already bitter and nationally significant Republican primary battle that has exposed growing tensions inside the GOP between establishment Senate Republicans and Trump-aligned populists.
Early voting in the runoff began Monday and continues through Friday, with Election Day set for May 26.
Despite the internal divisions, Thune expressed confidence Republicans would retain control of the Senate in November.
“I’m very confident we’ll hang on — and maybe even expand the majority of the United States Senate,” Thune said.
Republicans currently hold a six-seat Senate majority. Democrats would need a net gain of four seats to retake control of the chamber.
Several races, including contests in Maine, Michigan, and North Carolina, are currently viewed as highly competitive.
The Texas race has become particularly important because Democrats believe a bruising Republican runoff could weaken the eventual GOP nominee heading into the general election against Democratic candidate James Talarico.
Recent polling has suggested an unusually competitive general election environment in Texas. One survey released Monday reportedly showed both Cornyn and Paxton running roughly even with Talarico in hypothetical head-to-head matchups.
That possibility has alarmed some Republicans, particularly moderates concerned that Paxton’s legal controversies and polarizing political image could jeopardize a seat long considered safely Republican.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski openly criticized Trump’s endorsement Tuesday, warning it could backfire politically.
“I was supremely disappointed,” Murkowski said. “How does that help strengthen the president’s hand when we lose a state like Texas?”
Paxton has remained a dominant figure among Texas conservatives despite years of legal and political controversies, including securities fraud charges that were later resolved and an impeachment battle in the Texas legislature from which he was ultimately acquitted by the state Senate.
Trump allies have framed the race as a test of loyalty to the president and the broader America First movement, while Cornyn supporters argue the longtime senator offers stability, fundraising strength, and legislative experience critical for maintaining Republican control of the Senate.
Cornyn, who has served in the Senate since 2002 and previously chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee, has longstanding ties to GOP leadership and donor networks in Washington. But critics on the right have increasingly portrayed him as part of the party establishment out of step with the Republican base.
Paxton has sought to capitalize on that frustration, presenting himself as a fighter aligned more closely with Trump’s populist agenda on immigration, election integrity, and federal power.
The runoff has also become a broader proxy battle over the future direction of Senate Republicans after Trump’s sweeping victories reshaped the party.
