Funding Impasse Leaves DHS Employees Without Pay
Thousands of employees at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have been without pay for seven weeks amid ongoing funding disputes, and some lawmakers are defending the planned recess as the stalemate continues.
Senator Chris Coons from Delaware voiced his opinions on Monday, rejecting the notion that the Senate should remain in session until a funding agreement for DHS is reached. He noted that Democratic lawmakers went to the U.S. Capitol specifically to prevent any action related to ending the government shutdown initiated by Republicans.
CBS News correspondent Nicole Killion questioned Coons, asking, “How do you justify the next two weeks off? Can Democrats and Republicans afford to keep playing this game?” Coons responded by emphasizing that they aren’t on vacation and are actually working in their home states, meeting constituents, and addressing their concerns.
Democrats and DHS Funding Dynamics
The exchange highlights the urgency of the situation, with many DHS employees either furloughed or working without pay as the funding deadlock persists. Although President Trump took steps to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees using existing funds, numerous other DHS staff members have not seen a paycheck for over seven weeks.
The House and Senate are expected to recess until mid-April, which means affected employees will continue to face paycheck issues as the stalemate drags on. Meanwhile, members of Congress are still receiving their salaries and can choose to defer pay during the shutdown.
Recently, the House passed a two-month funding extension for DHS primarily along party lines after rejecting a bipartisan agreement from the Senate that would have largely funded DHS, excluding parts related to Border Patrol. Despite Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s warnings that Democratic pushback would render the bill ineffective, Republicans proceeded with their agenda.
No Senate Republicans sought unanimous consent for the House bill during Monday’s session, and Coons expressed dissatisfaction with the prospect of lawmakers assembling just to be brief.
“It’s quite inconvenient for our members to come back to Washington just for a short session,” Coons said. “But if that’s necessary, I’m willing to step in again.”
Senate Democrats have stood firm on not funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) without significant reforms to limit President Trump’s initiatives on illegal immigration. Conversely, House Republicans have categorically opposed excluding funding for these agencies from the DHS bill.
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that “Republicans are not interested in efforts to reopen the border or halt immigration enforcement.”
Continued Efforts Amid Shutdown
Senator John Hoeven, a Republican, defended the recess on Monday, claiming lawmakers are still engaged in negotiations as the shutdown stretches into its seventh week. He presided over a session where no business was formally addressed.
“TSA is benefitting due to the president’s actions, and we appreciate that,” Hoeven commented. “ICE and CBP also receive support from the Big Beautiful Act, so they’re covered. We remain committed to negotiating a settlement.” However, numerous support staff working for ICE and CBP have not been compensated during the funding gap.
Hoeven mentioned that Republicans are contemplating another “big, beautiful” bill that would address the DHS shutdown for the remainder of Trump’s term, aiming for a settlement that lasts three years to avoid repeating the current situation.
Some Senate Republicans are urging their colleagues to come back to Washington to address the ongoing funding issue.
In response to the recess, Senator Mike Lee from Utah criticized the delay, stating, “We cannot reward unprecedented obstruction with a two-week break,” addressing Senate Democrats directly. Interestingly, he did not participate in the Senate’s preliminary session on Monday.
