Sen. Charles Schumer (D.Y.) speaks to the media as Cabinet members brief Congress on Iran at the Capitol on March 3, 2026 in Washington.
Heather Deal | Getty Images
Congressional Democrats have sent a new counterproposal to the White House calling for reopening the Department of Homeland Security, a person familiar with the negotiations told CNBC.
DHS has been closed since February 14th. The closure comes after Democrats called for changes to how federal immigration enforcement operates in exchange for defunding after two Americans were shot and killed by DHS officers in Minneapolis. Democrats and President Donald Trump’s White House have been exchanging proposals for more than a month, but no deal has yet been reached.
The latest Democratic counterproposal was sent late last night, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss private negotiations. The official did not elaborate on the details of the Democratic Party’s recent attacks.
A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the delicate negotiations, told CNBC that the White House has received and is considering a counteroffer. The official also declined to provide details included in the Democrats’ latest proposal.
The DHS shutdown was less disruptive than last year’s widespread government shutdown, which was of record length. Much of DHS is considered essential, and employees continue to work without pay.
But the effects of the funding lapse are being felt at airports, too, with Transportation Security Administration employees quitting or being recalled instead of working without pay. They and other DHS employees did not receive their full paychecks for the first time last week. Due to a shortage of staff, large-scale conflicts are occurring at security checkpoints.
