Updated on: March 23, 2026 / 11:03 PM EDT / CBS News
Washington — Senate negotiations to end the 38-day Department of Homeland Security shutdown hit a snag Monday after former President Trump urged Republicans not to strike a deal unless the SAVE America Act is attached — though some senators said an agreement to fund parts of DHS may still be attainable.
Trump told supporters he was “suggesting strongly to the Republican Party, don’t make any deal on anything,” and pressed GOP senators to “weld in” the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register and photo ID to vote. The bill has roiled Senate Republicans for days as conservatives push to bypass the 60-vote threshold, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said the votes to pass it aren’t there.
Speaking in Memphis, Trump urged senators to delay votes and stay in Washington, saying, “You don’t have to take a fast vote, don’t worry about Easter, going home. In fact, make this one for Jesus.” The Senate is scheduled for a two-week recess at the end of the week, though Thune suggested lawmakers could remain until the shutdown ends.
Late last week a bipartisan group of senators met with border czar Tom Homan, sparking cautious optimism after both sides showed more willingness to negotiate. But progress stalled over the weekend, and Thune on Monday called Trump’s demand a “wrinkle” and said guaranteeing passage of the elections bill to reopen the government wasn’t “realistic.” He added that discussions about DHS funding were ongoing.
By evening, some members from both parties signaled a possible path forward. After meeting Trump at the White House, Republican Sen. Katie Britt said lawmakers have a solution but declined to give details. Several Senate Democrats indicated they might agree to fund most DHS operations while excluding ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said talks were “serious,” adding that “both sides are talking in a serious way.” He also accused the president of “trying to sabotage negotiations” and said Democrats would continue negotiating in good faith, seeking to secure pay for TSA workers and further meetings with the White House. Schumer said a scheduled meeting with Homan was pulled by the White House, blaming Trump’s intervention.
The shutdown has already disrupted airport operations as unpaid TSA staff face mounting strain, prompting the administration to deploy ICE agents to more than a dozen airports to assist. Democrats have opposed funding immigration enforcement agencies but repeatedly offered to fund TSA and other DHS components.
Some Republicans have warmed to funding non-ICE parts of DHS and pursuing other means to finance immigration enforcement. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said Republicans should accept Democrats’ offer to reopen DHS except for ICE, then use the reconciliation process to fund ICE separately. Thune acknowledged multiple ideas were circulating and that no options were off the table.
Independent Sen. Angus King, who caucuses with Democrats, said he had not seen a written GOP offer but understood leaders might propose funding all DHS agencies except ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations. Sen. Chris Coons said that plan would still fund Customs and Border Protection and ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations, possibly with “some reforms” to immigration enforcement.
ICE and CBP are partially insulated from the shutdown because last summer’s One Big Beautiful Bill approved tens of billions for immigration funding. Trump also posted on Truth Social urging Republicans not to make a deal unless Democrats back the elections bill.
Democrats have pressed the White House to engage seriously, refusing for weeks to sit with Senate Republicans over concerns the White House could undercut any deal. Schumer said Democrats remain ready to negotiate and want to ensure TSA workers are paid while talks continue.
Alan He, Seiji Yamashita and Nikole Killion contributed to this report.