The ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), now entering its second month, remains a significant point of contention in Washington, with Senate Republicans and the White House inching toward a possible resolution but no definitive breakthrough yet in sight. The funding impasse has led to substantial disruptions, including long security lines at airports nationwide and mounting financial strain on Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers, many of whom have not been paid for weeks and face missing their second paycheck this Friday.
CBS News reached out to all 532 congressional offices—comprising both House and Senate members, excluding three vacant House seats—to gather lawmakers’ perspectives on the DHS funding stalemate. The inquiry focused on how they plan to restore DHS funding, their messages to travelers enduring prolonged airport security waits, and their thoughts on the plight of unpaid TSA employees. The responses paint a picture of a deeply divided Congress, struggling to find common ground amid competing priorities and political pressures.
At the center of the negotiations is President Donald Trump, whose stance continues to heavily influence Capitol Hill proceedings. While Senate Republicans and the President appeared to be moving closer toward a framework to end the shutdown earlier in the week, Trump’s public comments have underscored his dissatisfaction with any potential deal that might emerge. Speaking to CBS News on Tuesday afternoon, Trump refrained from endorsing the developing agreement, stating, “I don't want to comment until I see the deal,” but adding, “I guess they're getting fairly close. But I think any deal they make, I'm pretty much not happy with it.”
This ambivalence followed a Monday evening White House meeting where Trump convened a small group of Senate Republicans. Earlier that same day, Trump had urged Republicans not to strike a bipartisan deal with Democrats, instead advocating for the passage of the SAVE America Act, a broader legislative package addressing election reforms and other policy items. However, senators left the meeting with a more optimistic message, suggesting they had the President’s backing for a strategy that involves using the budget reconciliation process to secure funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and incorporate elements of the SAVE America Act.
Senator Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, announced that Republicans would “expeditiously move toward creating a second budget reconciliation bill.” This maneuver would allow them to bypass the usual 60-vote threshold in the Senate, advancing legislation with a simple majority instead. The plan would address the remaining ICE funding via reconciliation, along with some provisions from the SAVE America Act focused on election integrity. However, skepticism remains among some GOP lawmakers about whether the election-related provisions can satisfy the strict budgetary rules governing reconciliation. Senator Mike Lee of Utah, for example, described the approach as “essentially impossible.”
Graham emphasized that the committee will collaborate closely with the President and Senate Majority Leader to craft the reconciliation bill, with the goal of “making sure there is adequate funding to secure our homeland.” He also highlighted the political importance of including election integrity measures, affirming, “I also think we have many opportunities to improve voter integrity through reconciliation.” He praised President Trump and Majority Leader John Thune for pushing the effort, stating, “I, along with the great members of the Senate Budget Committee, intend to deliver.”
Meanwhile, the practical consequences of the DHS shutdown are intensifying pressure on lawmakers to reach a resolution quickly. Airports across the country have seen chaos unfold at security checkpoints, with travelers facing hours-long waits. This disruption stems from a combination of factors: hundreds of TSA agents have quit in recent weeks due to the lack of pay, many more have called in sick, and a surge in spring break travel is further straining the diminished workforce. TSA agents are on the brink of missing their second paycheck, fueling uncertainty and dissatisfaction among those tasked with protecting the nation’s transportation systems.
Compounding the urgency is the looming congressional recess set to begin next week. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has suggested that the recess could be canceled if the DHS funding crisis remains unresolved, signaling the high stakes involved and the pressure on lawmakers to act swiftly. The prospect of a prolonged shutdown during a busy travel season and its impact on national security and public safety have made the issue a top priority in the Senate.
Despite a moment of optimism on Monday when the President met with Senate Republicans, the outlook dimmed by Tuesday. Democratic lawmakers emerged from their caucus meeting united in their insistence on ICE reforms as a condition for funding. Republicans had earlier presented an offer that would fund most DHS agencies