By Siobhan Hughes, Terell Wright and Olivia Beavers

WASHINGTON -- Senate Republicans and Democrats agreed early Friday to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, moving to end a standoff in Congress that had led to missed paychecks for airport security workers and long lines for travelers.

Shortly after 2 a.m., Senators agreed by unanimous consent to approve legislation to fund all of DHS except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, as demanded by Democrats. The measure would provide funding for an assortment of programs, including the Transportation Security Administration, the Coast Guard, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The measure, which didn't include any changes to immigration enforcement policies, now must be passed by the House.

The Senate action came hours after President Trump said he would sign an executive order to free up money to pay TSA workers. Trump said he was instructing Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin to pay TSA agents to address what he called an "emergency situation." Many unpaid security workers have been calling in sick while others have quit, driving delays for airline passengers headed on spring break.

Invoking a law called the National Emergencies Act could give the administration flexibility to use unspent government funds to temporarily pay the employees.

Senate Republicans and Democrats had worked into the night to reach a deal to fund DHS, which houses TSA, aiming to pass legislation before leaving Capitol Hill for a two-week Easter recess. Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate, but advancing the DHS funding would typically require 60 votes in the chamber.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.) told reporters late Thursday that Trump's order to pay TSA agents takes "the immediate pressure off" but was a "short-term solution." He then offered the unanimous consent resolution to pass most of the DHS funding after both parties agreed to move forward. No senator objected, and the bill passed.

Democrats rejected funding for DHS last month as they sought tighter rules on immigration-enforcement tactics, such as requiring agents not to wear masks and to obtain judicial warrants before forcing entry into a home. After funding lapsed on Feb. 14 and the standoff intensified, Republicans have searched for other ways to fund DHS and pay TSA agents.

Democrats for their part have argued that Republicans were ignoring their demands for policy changes. They had also put forward measures just funding TSA, which had been blocked by Republicans.

Republicans said that the Trump administration had already made administrative changes aimed at satisfying Democratic demands, as well as removing Kristi Noem as DHS secretary, following the deaths of two people in encounters with immigration officials in Minnesota.

Last week, White House officials said the administration would expand use of body cameras and limit enforcement activities at sensitive places such as hospitals and schools, and require that officers clearly identify themselves. The officials also pledged to comply with oversight laws, including congressional oversight of detention facilities.

The planned effort by Trump to temporarily pay TSA employees could be challenged in court. The Antideficiency Act prohibits federal spending without an appropriation by Congress.

Write to Siobhan Hughes at Siobhan.hughes@wsj.com, Terell Wright at terell.wright@wsj.com and Olivia Beavers at Olivia.Beavers@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 27, 2026 02:39 ET (06:39 GMT)

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