Senate to Skip Recess if DHS Funding Not Fixed

0:00On March 19th, Senate Majority Leader John Thune says the Senate will skip its plan two week recess starting March 30th if they don't fix. Funding for the Department of Homeland Security by the end of next week. The agency has faced a partial shutdown since February 13th, after Democrats blocked a house funding bill over immigration policy disputes. Immigration and border enforcement operations remain fully funded under prior legislation. However, key parts like the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Coast Guard, Secret Service, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Transportation Security Administration are now running without fresh appropriations. Travelers are dealing with long airport lines from TSA staffing issues while disaster response and other services face delays. A bipartisan synagogue met privately with President Trump's Border Security Advisor, Tom Homan this week, but the talks ended without any agreement. Senator Patty Murray noted the two sides remain far apart on key issues.

1:01Meanwhile, appropriations committee chair Susan Collins pointed to Democrats for the disruptions, including recent campus violence, a synagogue, attack, and a major cyber incident urging them to negotiate in good faith. Negotiations continue amid growing pressure to end the standoff and restore full operations before the deadline hits.