GOP, White House near DHS deal as TSA delays worsen

Senate Republicans and the White House are nearing a deal to fund much of the Department of Homeland Security, potentially ending the partial government shutdown as airport delays intensify in its second month.

The deal would fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, excluding part of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement budget, but Democrats have yet to sign off.

At a Tuesday press conference, Patty Murray said Democrats are willing to fund agencies including TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard, and CISA immediately, while continuing negotiations over ICE and Border Patrol. She added that any funding for ICE or CBP must include key accountability measures and characterized talks with the White House as “productive.”

Should the deal pass, Republicans are expected to pursue separate funding for ICE through a process that would bypass the need for Democratic votes.