Republicans Roll Out Last‑And‑Final DHS Funding Plan Excluding ICE Enforcement And Removals

New development: Republicans rolled out a 'last and final' plan to fund DHS that would exclude ICE enforcement and removal operations from the package, signaling a hardline split in the funding fight.

“Airport chaos grows as shutdown drags on and TSA staffing crisis worsens Lawmakers remain divided over whether to restore pay for TSA workers without addressing ICE reforms”

41NBC News

The package adds new restraints on immigration officers, including body cameras.

41NBC News

Democrats insist that ICE reforms are non-negotiable as a condition for any DHS funding.

President Trump has floated an emergency order to pay TSA workers, implying a potential unilateral move if Congress cannot reach a deal.

Media coverage frames this as a high-stakes standoff that could still unravel or harden into a partisan impasse.

The latest numbers lay bare the scale of the TSA crisis: thousands of screeners have skipped shifts or quit, leaving airports with longer lines and stressed security lanes.

On a single day, more than 3,160 TSA employees did not show up for work, and hundreds more have left the workforce.

ABC

Absenteeism has surged at major hubs, with callout rates hovering around 40 percent in several airports, and some locations reporting callouts well above that level.

In parallel, more than 50,000 TSA employees have worked without pay for weeks, and labor leaders describe the disruption as unprecedented.

The immediate consequence is mounting risk to efficiency and safety at a moment of national security concerns.

Small airports face the sharpest exposure from the funding stalemate, with officials warning that continued shortages could force closures at less-urgent hubs.

“WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration may have to shut down operations at some airports if the budget impasse drags on, the agency’s acting head said Wednesday, even asrecord wait timesfor travelers did little to end the standoff over the funding fight in Congress”

Chicago Tribune

In parallel, industry and airport observers point to real-world bottlenecks caused by consolidated security lanes and slower processing, even as some major carriers adjust passenger policies to cope with delays.

The debate also reverberates through the broader travel ecosystem, with travelers facing longer waits and disrupted schedules even as some airports struggle to maintain basic operations.

Delta Air Lines has publicly signaled that the strain on resources could reach small hubs, echoing warnings that the policy standoff could produce airport shutdowns unless a funding compromise is reached.

Smaller airports are singled out in the discourse as the most vulnerable to the cash flow crunch and staffing gaps.

The GOP offering would fund most of DHS but exclude ICE enforcement and removal operations, while directing funding to other ICE components and CBP.

The package adds body cameras for immigration officers but omits Democratic asks like agent identification and bans on raids at sensitive places.

lepetitjournal

This split highlights a disagreement over maintaining essential security functions while advancing reforms in immigration enforcement.

Analysts suggest that the plan preserves enforcement capabilities while extending the political deadlock rather than resolving it.

The broader framing centers on how much oversight and restraint the administration should place on ICE operations while keeping DHS functioning.

Analysts warn the funding gridlock could prolong disruptions to airport security and critical infrastructure, while the White House has tracked some declines in wait times after ICE deployments.

“The funding crisis at the Department of Homeland Security paralyzes the TSA and plunges American airports into chaos”

lepetitjournal

Trump’s emergency pay order remains a possible lever if Congress remains gridlocked, but Democrats and many observers argue it would not address underlying ICE reform concerns.

News4JAX

The combination of plan rejection, executive options, and ongoing security risks means the next steps could redefine who bears the cost of the impasse and how passengers experience travel during a protracted funding crisis.

Media from multiple regions highlight the real-world consequences for small airports, travelers, and frontline workers as the standoff persists.

The evolving narrative centers on whether Congress can broker a package that preserves essential DHS operations while delivering credible ICE reforms.