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President Donald Trump has rejected a Republican-backed proposal to temporarily fund most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and end airport disruptions, prolonging a weeks-long shutdown that has left thousands of workers unpaid.
The plan, discussed Sunday between Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Trump, would have funded all DHS operations except U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which Democrats have refused to support without new limits on immigration enforcement.
Under the proposal, Republicans would later fund ICE separately through the budget reconciliation process, which requires only a simple majority in the Senate.
A Potential Breakthrough — Rejected
The approach was seen by some Republicans as a viable path to break the stalemate, particularly as Democrats have repeatedly offered to fund less controversial parts of DHS — including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) — while negotiations over immigration policy continue.
But Trump dismissed the idea in a Sunday social media post, insisting that any deal must include passage of the SAVE America Act, a GOP-backed bill focused on voter identification and proof of citizenship requirements.
“I don’t think we should make any deal … unless, and until, they vote with Republicans” on the measure, Trump wrote.
He also urged Republicans to eliminate the filibuster — a move that lacks sufficient support within his own party — and suggested lawmakers remain in Washington through the Easter recess if necessary.
Airport Chaos Continues
The rejection of the proposal comes as the shutdown, now more than a month old, continues to disrupt air travel nationwide.
While TSA operations remain active, many officers have gone unpaid, leading to widespread absences and more than 400 reported resignations. The resulting staffing shortages have caused long security lines at major airports.
Democrats have attempted multiple times to pass stand-alone funding bills for TSA, but those efforts have been blocked by Republicans, who insist on addressing broader DHS funding and immigration policy simultaneously.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and his allies are expected to renew those efforts again this week.
Competing Political Strategies
The dispute reflects fundamentally different approaches to resolving the shutdown.
Republicans backing the Thune proposal argue it would allow the government to resume normal operations while preserving leverage on immigration policy. Sen. John Kennedy said the plan could end the shutdown quickly, with ICE funding handled separately.
Democrats, meanwhile, see the approach as a way to avoid politically contentious votes on immigration enforcement while ensuring TSA workers are paid and airport operations stabilize.
Broader Political Stakes
Trump doubled down Monday, tying DHS funding to voter ID requirements and framing the issue as central to national security.
“The most important part of homeland security is voter ID,” he said during remarks in Tennessee.
The standoff has also taken on political significance beyond the immediate shutdown, with Democrats arguing the president is prolonging disruptions and Republicans accusing Democrats of blocking broader security funding.
What Comes Next
If negotiations remain stalled, lawmakers may cancel the upcoming congressional recess to continue talks.
The reconciliation strategy — a key component of the rejected proposal — remains an option for Republicans but would require near-unanimous party support, particularly in the House.
For now, with both sides entrenched, the shutdown and its impact on travelers and federal workers appear likely to continue into the week.
