Trump rejects the plan; U.S. Department of Homeland Security shutdown enters its 39th day, with long lines at airports

Source: 汇通网

Huitong Finance APP News - U.S. President Trump has rejected the compromise proposal put forward by Senate Republicans, leading to an escalation of the funding stalemate for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Some DHS agencies have now entered their 39th day of shutdown, with significant absenteeism among Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security personnel, causing long lines at airport security across the nation and severely impacting travelers.

This political deadlock not only tests the compromise capability of both parties in Congress but also directly relates to the continuity of domestic security and border enforcement in the United States. Senate Majority Leader John Thune had attempted to push for funding for DHS departments except for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and then separately handle the ICE budget through a reconciliation process, but this plan was explicitly vetoed by Trump.

Details of Trump’s Veto

The proposal put forward by Senate Republicans aimed to break the deadlock: first, to provide funding for DHS departments excluding ICE through regular procedures, and then to use the “reconciliation” process to add funding for ICE with a simple majority vote. This plan could have bypassed Democratic obstruction and quickly restored operations for agencies like the TSA.

Thune explained this strategy to Trump in detail, but Trump insisted that funding must go through a complete DHS package and be tied to the SAVE America Act. This act includes new voter eligibility provisions, which have also become stalled due to strong opposition from Democrats.

Trump stated on Truth Social that lawmakers should “bundle everything together for a vote,” even suggesting the possibility of canceling the Easter recess if necessary. Thune publicly stated that bundling the two was politically unrealistic, and negotiations with the Democrats were still ongoing.

Impact of the DHS Shutdown

Despite the DHS being mostly shut down since last month, ICE continues to operate fully due to the $75 billion funding approved in the previous “Big and Beautiful” Act. Democrats have refused to provide additional funding for ICE and have put forward reform demands related to immigration enforcement. They have repeatedly pushed for bills that narrow funding only for non-immigration enforcement departments like the TSA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), but Republicans insist on overall funding.

If Congress does not reach an agreement by this Friday (March 27), TSA officials will face a situation of not getting paid for over a month. A significant number of TSA employees have already taken leave, leading to a substantial decrease in airport security efficiency and hours-long lines in many areas. The Trump administration has deployed some ICE personnel to assist with airport security, but this temporary measure is unlikely to fundamentally resolve the issues of personnel shortages and low morale.

Markwayne Mullin’s Confirmation

As the DHS faces a severe funding crisis and the pressure of aviation security intensifies, the U.S. Senate, on March 23 local time, officially confirmed Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin as the Secretary of Homeland Security with a vote of 54 in favor and 45 against. This appointment replaces the former Secretary Kristi Noem, who was removed due to enforcement controversies and spending issues.

Mullin, a former MMA fighter and seasoned lawmaker, is known for his tough stance on border security. His appointment is seen as a significant step for the Trump administration in strengthening immigration enforcement, but he still faces enormous challenges in effectively coordinating Congress amid the current funding stalemate.

Market Outlook and Risks

In the short term, the risk of a DHS shutdown continues to escalate. If the deadlock persists until mid-April, the number of shutdown days will break historical records, causing greater impacts on air travel, economic activity, and public confidence. Trump insists on tying funding to election reform legislation, while Democrats demand priority for the operation of non-immigration enforcement departments, with significant differences remaining between both parties.

Mullin’s confirmation may inject new leadership into the department, but his scope of action is limited until the funding issue is resolved. The market and the public will closely monitor the negotiation progress before and after March 27, as well as whether Trump will exert further pressure or make compromises. Any breakthrough agreement could quickly alleviate airport chaos, while continued stalemate may amplify political risks and economic costs.

Editor’s Summary

Trump’s veto of the Senate Republicans’ compromise proposal, forcibly tying DHS funding to the SAVE America Act, has led to the continuation of the shutdown stalemate, resulting in chaos at TSA airport security. While Markwayne Mullin has been confirmed as Secretary, the new leadership faces dual challenges of funding shortages and low internal morale. Overall, this event highlights the direct impact of partisan polarization in the U.S. Congress on key government functions, with uncertainty in the aviation and border security sectors remaining high in the short term.