Senate Democrats called for reopening the Department of Homeland Security amid a partial government shutdown that began on February 14, 2026, even after blocking Republican-led funding bills four times.

The latest failure occurred on March 12, when the Senate voted 51-46 against advancing a House-passed stopgap bill to fund DHS through the fiscal year. The measure required 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. All Democrats except Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania opposed it, joining with Republicans who supported the bill. This marked the fourth such block since February 12, when Democrats rejected an extension of prior funding.

Democrats conditioned support on reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by agents in Minneapolis. Proposed changes included bans on masks for agents, requirements for judicial warrants, body cameras, and visible identification during enforcement, and an end to roaming patrols. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused ICE of acting like "marauding forces" and said Democrats want the agency to follow standards like local police departments.

Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, criticized Democrats for rejecting White House offers on reforms and prolonging the shutdown, which affects TSA screeners, the Coast Guard, FEMA, and other agencies. "Democrats are holding the American people hostage," Thune said during floor debates.

The House passed H.R. 7744, a full-year DHS funding bill, on March 5, but it stalled in the Senate. Republicans have also objected to Democratic piecemeal bills funding only TSA, FEMA, CISA, or the Coast Guard, blocking five such measures in 24 hours ending March 12.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan said Congress must fund DHS, but treated ICE funding as a separate issue. Sens. Mark Warner and Patty Murray echoed calls to pay TSA workers and fund non-enforcement agencies while negotiating ICE changes. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries launched a discharge petition this week for a bill funding DHS except ICE and Customs and Border Protection.

The shutdown, now in its second month, has led to TSA workers facing missed paychecks, with 300 quitting since January. Airports reported over 5,000 delays and 500 cancellations recently, prompting aid like food pantries at Seattle-Tacoma and gift card drives at Denver International. Republicans highlighted risks amid elevated terror threats, including an alleged ISIS plot in New York and Iranian activities.

Sen. John Cornyn called Democratic tactics "hypocritical," noting prior ICE funding and harm to air travel. Negotiations remain stalled as both parties blame the other for the impasse.