Senate Negotiates End to DHS Shutdown Amid Deep Divisions

Progress toward Senate agreement to end DHS shutdown

DHS remains partially shut down

ICE left out

The United States Senate is moving toward a potential agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and end the partial shutdown that began on February 14, placing the DHS shutdown Senate deal at the center of political debate.

Why it matters: The shutdown has caused delays and chaos at numerous airports across the country, affecting key operations tied to national security.

Republican senators said Tuesday that significant progress has been made in recent hours.

DHS funding advances in the Senate

The U.S. Senate confirmed Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

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A group of lawmakers met Monday with President Donald Trump at the White House.

Following the meeting, several Republicans expressed optimism about reaching an agreement soon.

Senator Katie Britt of Alabama was direct when speaking to the press:

“Yes, we have it,” she said when asked whether a solution had been reached.

What does the proposed agreement include?

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The U.S. Senate confirmed Markwayne Mullin as Secretary of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem pic.twitter.com/GBMK52vBW0

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The potential agreement would include funding for multiple agencies that depend on DHS.

Among them are those responsible for airport security—one of the sectors most affected by the shutdown.

However, the plan would exclude funding for deportation operations carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

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This represents a key point in the negotiations surrounding the DHS shutdown Senate deal.

The immediate goal is to restore DHS operations and reduce the impact of the shutdown.

According to Republicans, the agreement could be finalized by the end of this week.

Republican strategy after the agreement

Once basic DHS funding is approved, Senate Republicans plan to move forward on additional issues.

These include funding for immigration operations that were left out of the initial agreement.

They will also attempt to include parts of an election law backed by Trump.

That proposal would require proof of identity for citizens registering to vote in federal elections.

This second phase could open new tensions in Congress.

DHS shutdown and Democratic demands

The Department of Homeland Security has been partially shut down for nearly six weeks.

The main cause has been Democrats’ refusal to fund the agency under current conditions.

Tensions escalated after the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis.

The fatalities occurred during protests against large-scale immigration raids.

Following these events, Democrats introduced new conditions for approving the budget.

Among their demands:

Judicial warrants for arrests or home searches

A ban on federal agents wearing masks that obscure identification

Mandatory use of body cameras

These conditions have become a central point in the political standoff tied to the DHS shutdown Senate deal.

What’s next: The Senate could reach an agreement as soon as this week. However, negotiations over immigration policy and election laws are expected to continue, ensuring that the DHS shutdown Senate deal remains a key issue in Washington.