NEW: Dems To Shut Down TSA, FEMA Over Anti-ICE Demands

Senate Democrats are set to move forward with a partial government shutdown over a number of demands related to federal immigration enforcement reforms. The upcoming shutdown will defund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), though it will have no impact on funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is secured through last year’s Big Beautiful Bill spending package.

The ongoing negotiations in the Senate come after the White House helped to broker a compromise deal that funds most federal departments while allowing time for negotiations on DHS funding.

The deal in question, which the Senate approved last month, combines five spending bills that had previously passed the House. It provides full-year funding for most federal agencies through September 2026, the end of the fiscal year. However, it separates funding for the Department of Homeland Security by extending it at current levels for just two weeks, which is now set to expire.

Democrats have been pushing for federal immigration “reforms” that would essentially end deportations, including a demand to obtain individual warrants for deporting each illegal alien. Republicans have said this is a non-starter, though Democrats have continued to push for a number of additional demands, including a ban on masks for federal agents, increased oversight and the use of officer-worn body cameras.

The White House has already agreed to body cameras, though Democrats are pushing for restrictions on how they can be used. In a procedural vote to advance the bill, the Senate fell short largely along party lines for a final outcome of 52-47. Nearly all Democrats opposed the motion, except for Senator John Fetterman (D-PA).

The measure required 60 votes to obtain cloture and move past the debate stage, effectively blocking it.

A partial shutdown is scheduled to begin at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, when the current stopgap funding measure expires. Unlike broader shutdowns, this one targets the department’s appropriations, which would lead to furloughs for non-essential personnel and operational pauses in certain areas. Essential employees would continue working, but without pay until funding is restored.

Several DHS agencies would face impacts if the shutdown goes through as expected. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) would see disruptions at airport security checkpoints, with approximately 60,000 screeners required to work without immediate compensation. This is expected to lead to delays and potential security pitfalls at major airports.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) could experience delays in disaster relief efforts, including responses to ongoing severe weather events, as non-essential staff are furloughed and new grants or contracts are halted. The U.S. Coast Guard would also be forced to shut down non-essential missions, while around 56,000 Coast Guard personnel would be forced to go without pay.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), as well as protective agencies like the U.S. Secret Service, would also face reductions.

Within DHS, ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would be among the least affected agencies. These agencies receive a mix of mandatory funding and appropriations from prior years — particularly from last year’s Big Beautiful Bill — and are expected to continue operations without delay.

President Donald Trump has called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to bypass the “zombie” filibuster — a move that allows the minority party to block legislation without physical debate — in order to avert a shutdown.

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