The US Senate has voted to end a partial 40-day government shutdown, approving funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - with the exception of immigration enforcement. The almost six-week funding lapse has seen knock-on disruption at US airports. Security workers' salaries are paid by the DHS, and hundreds have quit since the shutdown began.
Democrats had refused to agree to a funding deal without reforms to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, but the Senate reached unanimous agreement in the early hours of Friday after stripping ICE and parts of border protection out of the measure. The funding measures now face a vote in the House of Representatives.
It is hoped that the package can bring an end to widespread disruption at airports across the US, where travelers have faced hours-long queues due to a shortage of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at security checkpoints. Around 50,000 agents at the TSA - which sits under the DHS - have been working without pay since mid-February due to the shutdown. This has reduced the number turning up to work each day and led to hundreds quitting.
A BBC reporter at Houston airport on Thursday night reported that after waiting about two hours in a winding queue, frazzled travelers faced another long line stretching towards security. The airport is currently operating just one-third to 50% of its TSA checkpoints, said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System.
A few hours before the Senate vote, US President Donald Trump announced an executive order "to immediately pay out TSA Agents". Senate Majority Leader John Thune criticized the Democrats for their refusal to reach an agreement that would have provided comprehensive Homeland Security funding. Meanwhile, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer highlighted that the funding also includes provisions for the TSA and the US Coast Guard, emphasizing that Senate Democrats will not support a blank check for a controversial ICE and border patrol.
Democrats are advocating for ICE-related reforms that would include an end to masks for agents, bans on racial profiling, and requirements for judicial warrants. This funding package now requires approval from the House of Representatives.
Democrats had refused to agree to a funding deal without reforms to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, but the Senate reached unanimous agreement in the early hours of Friday after stripping ICE and parts of border protection out of the measure. The funding measures now face a vote in the House of Representatives.
It is hoped that the package can bring an end to widespread disruption at airports across the US, where travelers have faced hours-long queues due to a shortage of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at security checkpoints. Around 50,000 agents at the TSA - which sits under the DHS - have been working without pay since mid-February due to the shutdown. This has reduced the number turning up to work each day and led to hundreds quitting.
A BBC reporter at Houston airport on Thursday night reported that after waiting about two hours in a winding queue, frazzled travelers faced another long line stretching towards security. The airport is currently operating just one-third to 50% of its TSA checkpoints, said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System.
A few hours before the Senate vote, US President Donald Trump announced an executive order "to immediately pay out TSA Agents". Senate Majority Leader John Thune criticized the Democrats for their refusal to reach an agreement that would have provided comprehensive Homeland Security funding. Meanwhile, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer highlighted that the funding also includes provisions for the TSA and the US Coast Guard, emphasizing that Senate Democrats will not support a blank check for a controversial ICE and border patrol.
Democrats are advocating for ICE-related reforms that would include an end to masks for agents, bans on racial profiling, and requirements for judicial warrants. This funding package now requires approval from the House of Representatives.
