WASHINGTON (AP) — A dispute over funding for the Department of Homeland Security is hardening, even as Republicans attempt to leverage recent U.S. military action against Iran to pressure Democrats into concessions. The standoff, now entering its second month following the expiration of funding on Feb. 13, is disrupting operations at key agencies like the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Coast Guard.
Democrats are refusing to yield on their demands for changes to immigration enforcement practices within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), spurred by incidents where federal agents have been involved in the deaths of American citizens.
“What does TSA have to do with Iran — or FEMA?” questioned Senator Angus King, an independent from Maine who caucuses with Democrats. “I don’t think the two relate.”
The Republican argument centers on the need for fully funded homeland security, particularly given what they describe as increased interior security threats. Senator Katie Britt of Alabama, who leads the Appropriations subcommittee overseeing DHS funding, stated, “Right now, obviously, where you’re seeing a potential increase in activity in our interior — it’s more important than ever that we fully fund DHS.”
Senator David McCormick, a Pennsylvania Democrat, echoed this sentiment on X, formerly known as Twitter, writing, “Now would be a good time for Democrats to drop their opposition to DHS funding and pass the bill to support our homeland security.” https://x.com/SenMcCormickPA/status/2027816538506727580
However, Democrats are dismissing the connection between the Iran situation and the DHS funding impasse as a pretext. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee, responded to McCormick’s post, stating that Republicans “went to war with Iran…so they could conjure an excuse to allow ICE to keep murdering Americans.” https://x.com/chrismurphyct/status/2027963109348901010?s=46
Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat from Georgia, emphasized the possibility of addressing both national security and accountability within federal agencies. “We want to ensure that the agencies that protect the American people are funded, and ensure that federal agents are upholding the highest standards of conduct and integrity,” he said, adding that Americans broadly support accountability for federal agents.
Negotiations between the White House and Senate Democrats continue, but a breakthrough remains elusive. Republicans have resisted proposals for a partial reopening of DHS. The bill requires 60 votes in the Senate, where Republicans currently hold 53 seats. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has criticized the Trump administration’s actions in Iran, without signaling a shift in his position on DHS funding.
The Department of Homeland Security recently highlighted arrests of individuals linked to national security threats, including members of Tren de Aragua, MS-13, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and the Islamic Republic Guard Corps of Iran. https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/26/making-america-safe-dhs-highlights-national-security-threats-arrested-during-first
Senator Chris Coons of Delaware stated that negotiations are “constructive” and focused on “completely reasonable” requests for DHS overhaul, and that these efforts would continue.
