Senate locked in staring contest on DHS as insults fly

Axios
by Hans Nichols
March 25, 2026
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Senate Republicans and Democrats are deadlocked over Department of Homeland Security funding with minimal progress toward agreement.

AI Summary

Senate Republicans and Democrats are deadlocked over Department of Homeland Security funding, with Democrats demanding "guardrails" on Immigration and Customs Enforcement spending included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Senate Majority Leader John Thune rejected Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's counteroffer Wednesday, calling it "not even close to being real," while Schumer insisted Democrats were merely clarifying their demand for no additional ICE enforcement money. Thune plans to bring a Republican proposal to the floor Thursday that would fund TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard while deferring ICE funding to a reconciliation package, a vote expected to fall short of the 60 votes needed. Democrats argue Republicans are circumventing guardrails by moving ICE personnel from other agencies like CBP and HSI, making any constraints illusory. Republicans warn Americans face danger if DHS remains unfunded, with Sen. Lindsey Graham claiming the initial Senate deal has been fundamentally altered.

What's Being Done

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer submitted an offer that Senate Majority Leader John Thune rejected as insufficient.

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