The Department of Homeland Security is on pace to shut down starting this weekend after Senate Democrats and the White House failed to reach an agreement on immigration enforcement regulations on Thursday.
The bill, which would fund DHS through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, has already been approved by the House, but failed to clear procedural hurdles in the Senate on Thursday and is expected to run out of time to avoid a shutdown.
Immediately after the vote, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, also opposed immediate consideration of a second two-week stopgap funding for DHS while negotiations continue.
In response to Murphy’s objections, Congress went into recess for a week, with the shutdown scheduled to begin at 12:01 a.m. ET on Saturday.
The impending shutdown comes as Democratic senators continue to negotiate directly with the White House and President Donald Trump on a deal that would allow for more funding for DHS.
Democrats are calling for new restrictions on immigration officials, citing the killing of two Americans by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in January.
The remaining federal funding will be funded through September 30th.
Most DHS employees are considered essential workers and will not be furloughed, so the public is unlikely to be significantly affected by the closure of DHS.
However, many employees will have to work without pay, especially if the shutdown is prolonged.
The closure will hurt employees at DHS agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration, Coast Guard and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The TSA closure could affect travelers going through airport security, especially if employees are behind on early March paychecks.
A DHS spokesperson told CNBC that “DHS’ essential missions and functions continue throughout each closure.”
“However, many employees will be forced to work without pay during the shutdown, placing a strain on those who protect our country on the front lines.”
So far, Democrats and the White House appear to be far apart on the terms of a deal to restore full funding to DHS.
“Today’s strong vote was a blow to Republicans. Democrats will not support a confusing blank check,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said at a news conference after Thursday’s vote.
Schumer poured cold water on the White House’s latest proposal.
“Their proposal is not serious,” Schumer said. He did not provide details of the issue.
Democrats are calling for a series of reforms to DHS. They want to require employees to wear body cameras, ban employees from wearing masks, and require judicial warrants for arrests. Democrats also want to end “patrol patrols,” a term they use to describe the administration’s dragnet immigration operations.
According to MS Now, a senior White House official said judicial warrants were a “particularly difficult aspect.” The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the administration would not accept changes that would affect its ability to roll out immigration enforcement policy.
If an agreement is reached, both chambers could come back from recess and pass the bill.
However, it is not at all clear whether a deal will be reached within the next week.
And many members of Congress are scheduled to come to Germany for the Munich Security Conference.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (Democratic) said, “If there is a solution, we will allow people to come here and vote.”
