Senate Funds Homeland Security, Excludes Immigration Enforcement

0:00It's March 27th. I'm Cory with the story, and this is Anchorage News Today, local news powered by AI. The Senate approved funding early Friday morning for most homeland security agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration, Federal, Emergency Management Agency, and Coast Guard. This unanimous measure excludes immigration enforcement operations like immigration and customs enforcement and border protection, which have fueled the budget fight to bill now hits to the House for a vote later today. This comes after 42-day government shutdown that's jammed airports and hit workers hard. President Trump announced he'll sign an order to pay TSA agents right away using funds from last year's tax bill, aiming to end the chaos at security. Checkpoints. The package adds no new restrictions on deportation efforts, which have continued uninterrupted thanks to prior funding boost. Travelers are dealing with massive delays, with some airports seeing over 40% callouts among TSA staff and nearly 500 officers, quitting. One passenger

1:03in Houston waited two and a half hours just to reach security and missed her flight. Union leaders say they're relieved for the pay, but urge Congress to fully fund all agencies soon. Democrats wanted safeguards like requiring agents to show ID and avoid raids near schools or churches, but those didn't make it in. Senate leaders from both parties note more worklies ahead on immigration funding, with conservatives pushing for full resources to support the president's agenda. Meanwhile, House Passage looks tricky with slim Republican margins and rebels on both sides. As pressure bills before another mispay check, this partial deal offers some relief, while the course standoff over border operations drags on.