Story perspectives

White House Presses Congress to End DHS Shutdown

3/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

The White House urged Congress to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown after more than 45 days.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Democrats must fund DHS to restore airport operations amid TSA staffing shortages.
Senate Democrats will not fund ICE without immigration reforms, while House Republicans oppose bills that exclude ICE funding.
Thousands of DHS employees remain unpaid as the shutdown continues to disrupt operations.

History

Historical Context

The 2013 U.S. government shutdown lasted 16 days, furloughing 800,000 federal employees and disrupting services, particularly within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This event stemmed from funding disputes over the Affordable Care Act. Today’s DHS shutdown reflects ongoing challenges in Congress regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) funding, underscoring the need for bipartisan cooperation to maintain essential government operations.

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Story summary

The White House urged Congress to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown after more than 45 days.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Democrats must fund DHS to restore airport operations amid TSA staffing shortages.
Senate Democrats will not fund ICE without immigration reforms, while House Republicans oppose bills that exclude ICE funding.
Thousands of DHS employees remain unpaid as the shutdown continues to disrupt operations.

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