US Homeland Security Faces Shutdown as Senate Fails to Pass Funding Bill
February 14, 2026
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is heading for an official shutdown at midnight after lawmakers left Washington without a deal on funding. The Senate failed to pass the DHS appropriations bill, falling short of the 60-vote requirement with a 52-47 vote largely along party lines. Democrats opposed the bill due to violent tactics used in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. Only Democrat John Fetterman from Pennsylvania voted in favor. An attempt to extend funding temporarily was also blocked by Democrats. The dispute centers on demands for reforms in how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operate. Democrats demanded judicial warrants before agents can enter private property. Republicans agreed only to agents wearing body cameras. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer accused Republicans of choosing "chaos" and urged for legislation to rein in ICE and stop violence. Ahead of the vote, US border official Tom Homan announced ending "Operation Metro Surge," reducing ICE presence in Minnesota to normal. Senators are on standby to return if a deal is made, but many have left for the Munich security conference, making a quick resolution unlikely. The Senate and House are scheduled for a 10-day recess, raising chances of an extended shutdown. Essential services like ICE and CBP will continue operating as they have separate funding. But services such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Secret Service, and FEMA may be disrupted. TSA workers plan to work without pay over the weekend to avoid travel chaos. FEMA could furlough many workers, impacting disaster response. This shutdown follows a four-day partial government shutdown earlier this month when funding for DHS was extended by two weeks.
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Department of homeland security
Shutdown
Senate vote
Ice
Immigration
Funding
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