US Senate passes funding package for Homeland Security that excludes ICE | US politics

The U.S. Senate has passed legislation that would fund most of the Department of Homeland Security but cut funding from some of ICE and Customs and Border Protection, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer’s office said in a statement.

The agreement will fund DHS components such as the Transportation Security Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard, the statement said. CNN reported that the House of Representatives would still need to act before funded organizations within the department could reopen.

The Senate approved the funding package by voice vote in a rare overnight session.

Majority Leader John Thune could not immediately be reached for comment.

Donald Trump said Thursday he would take executive action to pay 50,000 airport security workers before a deal is reached.

Trump said Sunday that his fellow Republicans should not reach an agreement on funding the department until Democrats in Congress pass a bill known as the Save America Act that would require people registering to vote to provide proof of U.S. citizenship.

He voiced demands from Democratic lawmakers over a dispute over DHS funding that has left the agency unfunded since Feb. 13.

Democrats in Congress have halted funding for DHS, demanding changes to the rules governing immigration operations after agents in Minneapolis shot and killed U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Last weekend, Trump said he would station ICE agents at airports until Democratic lawmakers pass the DHS budget bill in an effort to increase pressure on Democrats.

The lack of funds meant tens of thousands of Transportation Security Administration staff worked without pay for five weeks, prompting some airport security workers to call in sick or leave the job altogether.

TSA absences last weekend reached their highest level since the partial government shutdown began, DHS said Sunday.