DHS funding bill stalls again, as partial shutdown drags on - The National Desk

WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Senate on Thursday again failed to advance a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) bill that would have provided funding through September and ended a partial government shutdown amid heightened tensions overseas.

Democrats are insisting on changes to immigration enforcement operations as part of the measure and blocked it from getting the 60 votes necessary to advance in the Senate. While the House will also take up the bill on Thursday, the vote will be more about putting lawmakers on the record about where they stand.

Sen. John Barrasso, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, said Democrats would bear responsibility for the next cyberattack that is missed or the next “lone wolf terrorist” who attacks in the U.S.

“Blood will be on their hands,” Barrasso said on the Senate floor. “Because we don't have a functioning Department of Homeland Security that is funded with people on the ground in every position receiving their paychecks.”

The vote came as President Donald Trump announced that U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma will become the next DHS Secretary, effective March 31, 2026.

In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said current DHS Secretary Kristi Noem will transition to a new role as Special Envoy for “The Shield of the Americas,” a Western Hemisphere security initiative the administration plans to formally unveil Saturday in Doral, Florida.

Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar, a Navy veteran, will replace Noem temporarily. While Mullin will need to be confirmed by the Senate to officially serve in the position, federal law states that he would be allowed to serve as active secretary while his nomination is "formally pending."

Several Democrats are celebrating the Noem change.

"Good riddance," Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said of Noem.

"But the problems at DHS go much deeper than any one person," he added. "The President must rein in ICE and end the violence."

House Minority Leader shared similar sentiments. He described Noem as "a disaster" and suggested Democrats influenced Trump's decision to move her from her position at DHS.

"Democrats made something very clear several weeks ago -- we said either Kristi Noem is fired or she's going to be impeached," Jeffries said during an unrelated news conference.

"Kristi Noem has been fired, consistent with what we have demanded on behalf of the American people," he added. "But let me also make clear -- a change is personnel is not sufficient. We need a change in policy."

Funding for DHS lapsed on February 14, with negotiations between Democrats and the White House over immigration enforcement policies remain unresolved.

Republican leaders argue that current global tensions, including the ongoing conflict involving Iran, make it critical to restore full funding to the department.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned this week that while homeland security threats are constant, the stakes are now higher.

“It shouldn’t need saying that it’s always a terrible idea to use the Department of Homeland Security as a political pawn,” Thune said. “But above all, right now, with enhanced terror threat from Iran and Iran-funded terrorist groups, it is vital that we ensure the Department of Homeland Security is fully funded and fully functioning.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed that message, saying recent military action involving Iran underscores the urgency.

“Military action in Iran makes it all the more urgent and crucial to have a fully staffed, fully funded Department of Homeland Security across all departments,” Johnson said.

On Wednesday, Johnson accused Democrats of “playing political games,” calling it “shameful” to vote against funding DHS during what he described as a heightened threat environment.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise also warned that continuing the shutdown is “dangerous,” particularly as global tensions rise.

“Now that we’re at a heightened threat, it’s not just hypothetical threats,” Scalise said. “We need to be more vigilant than ever and have a fully functioning Department of Homeland Security with all the capabilities.”

Democrats, however, have tied their opposition to concerns over immigration enforcement policies. They have said they will not support DHS funding without changes to federal immigration policies, including restrictions on certain enforcement tactics.

The House initially passed the funding measure in January, before the second fatal Minneapolis shooting. At that time, just seven House Democrats voted in favor of the bill, citing concerns that it did not include sufficient immigration enforcement reforms.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.