US Senate fails to end standoff over funding Homeland Security, airport screening - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivwFBVV95cUxQV21zZE5zNXdMWHpvVEV2eGVDTTEyVDB2a1FnMV91ZzRZRkc4S1lZbFhZcVU4UDlnbkM5ZzdXRElCeUdkTGFKNzJabnYtSlRQS3d2NWNPYXY3WmVuR1o3QWZWNnJ0ZmljenNSVnBTUDBaWGZZU0VBU3hQb1IyYUxVd1lSb0VkdTlmeTM2WF9XMDVNVzBKbGFfVlE0R2lORDN2SjN1XzVJYmJxbERXY1BuNWJCSmZGQks3c1pnMzAyZw?oc=5" target="_blank">US Senate fails to end standoff over funding Homeland Security, airport screening</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown enters its fourth week, lawmakers on both sides expressed growing frustration over the impasse, which is causing widespread disruptions, particularly at airports. Democrats are willing to fund most of DHS but want changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations. Republicans, however, rejected these demands, resulting in a stalemate during Senate debates. Key Democratic proposals include limits on ICE enforcement at sensitive locations, more oversight of agent conduct, and requirements for judicial warrants.

The Department of Homeland Security has resumed the Global Entry program after a suspension due to a partial government shutdown that began on February 14. The program, which offers expedited re-entry for pre-approved, low-risk travelers at U.S. entry points, was temporarily paused on February 22. During the shutdown, Customs and Border Protection officers were redirected from Global Entry kiosks to handle the increased influx of travelers, leading to long lines at several airports. The shutdown occurred because of a legislative standoff between Democrats and the Trump administration over immigration policies and Homeland Security funding. The inconvenience sparked by the suspension is prompting discussions about preventing future airport disruptions, potentially by expanding the practice of outsourcing security operations, while still maintaining oversight by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Another partial government shutdown is due to begin at midnight after the Senate failed to advance a measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security. In a 52 to 47 vote on Thursday, all but one Democrat — Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania — opposed moving forward with the bill, which would fund DHS through September.

The Department of Homeland Security has begun a partial shutdown, after funding for the much-criticized agency expired, with a range of services, including domestic flights and the US Coastguard, now vulnerable to disruption. The shutdown was all but confirmed on Thursday, after the Senate failed to clear the 60-vote threshold needed to pass the DHS appropriations bill and lawmakers left Washington for a long weekend without resolving the impasse.