Senate Fails to Move DHS Funding Legislation as Shutdown Persists
In a procedural vote intended to advance the H.R.7147 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, lawmakers remained divided along party lines. The measure did not receive enough backing to proceed, with the final tally standing at 50-45.
The funding lapse began at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 14 after Congress was unable to pass a spending bill before the midnight deadline. Democrats blocked the proposal, pressing for changes within DHS — particularly reforms related to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The debate intensified following the deaths of two Americans in Minnesota in January involving ICE agents. Democratic lawmakers have since called for stricter oversight of immigration enforcement. Their demands include prohibiting ICE officers from wearing masks, requiring body cameras to remain activated, and mandating clearly visible identification. They have made these reforms a condition for supporting the DHS funding legislation.
During his 2026 State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress, President Donald Trump accused Democrats of being responsible for the shutdown and the halt in DHS funding.
"As we speak, Democrats in this chamber have cut off all funding for the Department of Homeland Security...They have instituted another Democrat shutdown," Trump said.
He further argued that the funding gap had undermined border protection efforts and disrupted federal responsibilities, claiming Democrats had “closed the agency responsible for protecting Americans from terrorists and murderers.”
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