Senate Passes Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026, Excluding Funding for ICE and Border Security Operations; Voter ID Amendment Fails Cloture 53-47
The Senate convened to address significant legislative matters, primarily focusing on appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and a proposed amendment related to voter identification. A motion to proceed to the DHS appropriations bill initially failed cloture. However, a subsequent unanimous consent agreement allowed for the immediate consideration and passage of a substitute DHS appropriations bill, which notably zeroed out funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Security Operations under U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Separately, an amendment to the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which would have required photo identification for voting, failed to achieve cloture.
This chamber-day was highly consequential due to the passage of a DHS appropriations bill that explicitly excludes funding for key immigration enforcement and border security operations, marking a significant shift in federal policy for these areas. The failure of the voter ID amendment also highlights ongoing partisan divisions over election integrity measures. The funding exclusions for ICE and Border Security Operations, in particular, represent a major legislative outcome with broad implications for national security and immigration enforcement.
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
H.R. 7147Question before the chamber
Passage of H.R. 7147, as amended by substitute amendment SA 4790.
The case for
Republicans, led by Mr. Thune, argued that the bill was necessary to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ensure the safety of Americans, particularly after Democrats had allegedly kept DHS shut down for 41 days. They highlighted the plight of TSA agents working without pay and the broader national security risks. Mr. Thune stated that Republicans had 'bent over backward to negotiate with Democrats' and that the passed bill was a necessary step to fund the Department piecemeal, given Democratic obstruction. He noted that President Trump had intervened to pay TSA agents, but that the overall situation was due to Democrats' refusal to compromise on funding for immigration enforcement.
The case against
Democrats, led by Mr. Schumer and Mr. Kim, maintained their opposition to providing a 'blank check' for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol without significant reforms. Mr. Kim stated that Democrats had been 'steadfast in our insistence that we not support providing more funding for ICE without also including commonsense reforms to rein in the abuses.' Mr. Schumer emphasized that the agreement funds TSA, the Coast Guard, FEMA, and CISA, and strengthens security at the border and ports of entry, while Democrats 'held firm in our opposition that Donald Trump's rogue and deadly militia should not get more funding without serious reforms.'
Disposition
The bill, as amended, was passed. · unanimous consent
H.R. 7147, as amended by SA 4790, passed the Senate.
Amendments
- A substitute amendment (SA 4790) that explicitly states that amounts specified for 'U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement' and 'Border Security Operations' under 'U.S. Customs and Border Protection' shall all be $0. (Mr. Thune) — agreed to
Who is affected
- TSA agents, Coast Guard, FEMA, CISA employees: Will receive pay and continued funding for their operations, addressing concerns about the DHS shutdown.
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Will have its funding zeroed out, significantly impacting its operations for immigration enforcement and removals.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Security Operations: Will have its funding zeroed out, impacting border security activities.
- American public: Affected by the continued operation of most DHS components (e.g., airport security, disaster response) but also by the cessation of funding for specific immigration and border enforcement activities, potentially impacting national security and border management.
SAFEGUARD AMERICAN VOTER ELIGIBILITY ACT--Resumed (Husted amendment No. 4732 to S. 1383)
S. 1383Question before the chamber
Cloture on Husted amendment No. 4732, which would require voters to provide photo identification.
The case for
Senator Husted and Majority Leader Thune argued that requiring photo ID to vote is a 'common sense' measure supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans (around 80-20). They pointed out that 36 states already have some form of voter ID law and that people are required to show photo ID for many daily activities like renting a car or boarding a plane. They emphasized that the amendment was 'clean, simple, straightforward' and only required one of five forms of photo ID (driver's license, State ID, passport, military-veteran ID, or Tribal ID), with no additional restrictions or prohibitions on absentee voting. They challenged Democrats to 'turn those words into action' if they truly supported photo ID.
The case against
Senator Padilla and Minority Leader Schumer argued that the amendment was a 'wolf in sheep's clothing' and a 'giant coverup' for broader voter suppression efforts in the underlying SAVE America Act. They contended that it would impose the 'single strictest voter ID law in America,' stricter than any red state, and would make it harder for eligible Americans, including veterans, students, and those with certain Tribal IDs, to vote. They highlighted that it would require mail-in voters to include a photocopy of their ID with their ballot, which they argued would violate the secrecy of the ballot and expose people to identity theft. They also noted the lack of hearings or input from election officials and the threat of chaos if implemented immediately during an election cycle.
Disposition
Cloture motion on Husted amendment No. 4732 · recorded vote
Cloture motion failed, as three-fifths of Senators duly chosen and sworn did not vote in the affirmative.
yeas 53, nays 47
Who is affected
- Eligible voters nationwide: Would face new requirements to present photo identification at the polls and potentially include photocopies with mail-in ballots, which opponents argued would disproportionately affect certain demographics.
- State and local election officials: Would be tasked with implementing new, potentially complex, and unfunded voter ID requirements without a transition period.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2026--Motion to Proceed
H.R. 7147Question before the chamber
Cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 311, H.R. 7147.
The case for
Majority Leader Thune, Senator Ernst, and Senator McCormick urged the Senate to proceed to the DHS appropriations bill to end the ongoing shutdown of the Department, which they stated had lasted 41 days. They emphasized the negative impact on 50,000 unpaid TSA agents, rising airport wait times, and national security vulnerabilities, citing cyberattacks and increased threats. They blamed Democrats for the shutdown, accusing them of prioritizing 'political games' and 'making a political point' over funding essential services and the safety of Americans.
The case against
Minority Leader Schumer and Senator Kim reiterated that Democrats were not willing to provide a 'blank check' for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without reforms. They argued that the Republican approach was a 'voter suppression bill' and that the focus should be on addressing rising costs for families, not on making it harder for eligible Americans to vote. They highlighted the need for 'commonsense reforms' to rein in alleged abuses by ICE and Border Patrol.
Disposition
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to H.R. 7147 · recorded vote
Cloture motion failed, as three-fifths of Senators duly chosen and sworn did not vote in the affirmative.
yeas 53, nays 47
Who is affected
- Department of Homeland Security employees (TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, CISA, ICE): Were working without pay due to the ongoing shutdown, leading to financial hardship and resignations, as highlighted by proponents.
- American public: Experienced increased airport wait times and potential vulnerabilities in national security, cybersecurity, and disaster response due to the partial DHS shutdown.
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill Passed with Exclusions for ICE and Border Security Operations
highAfter an initial motion to proceed failed cloture, the Senate passed H.R. 7147, the Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026, by unanimous consent. This bill, as amended by a substitute, explicitly states that amounts specified for 'U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement' and 'Border Security Operations' under 'U.S. Customs and Border Protection' shall all be $0, effectively defunding these specific areas while providing appropriations for other DHS components.
Voter ID Amendment Fails Cloture
highAn amendment (Husted amendment No. 4732) to S. 1383, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which sought to impose a nationwide requirement for photo identification at the polls, failed to invoke cloture with a vote of 53-47. Proponents argued it was a common-sense measure for election integrity, while opponents characterized it as voter suppression and overly restrictive.
Motion to Proceed to DHS Appropriations Bill Fails Cloture
mediumPrior to the eventual passage of the DHS appropriations bill, a motion to proceed to Calendar No. 311, H.R. 7147, failed to achieve cloture with a vote of 53-47. This procedural vote underscored the deep divisions regarding the funding of the Department of Homeland Security.
Cloture Motions Filed for Two Judicial Nominations
lowCloture motions were filed for the nominations of John Thomas Shepherd to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas and Christopher R. Wolfe to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas, setting them up for future votes.