Story perspectives

DHS payroll at risk; Senate approves ICE funding bill

5/1/2026

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Center

Mullin Warns Funding

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned the department’s $1.6 billion payroll pool could be depleted by early May without restored funding.
The Senate passed a DHS appropriations bill on March 27, with Speaker Mike Johnson yet to schedule a floor vote.
The bill, deemed haphazardly drafted, includes amendments aiming to restore ICE and Border Patrol funding.
John Thune urged House passage, saying reconciliation will fund ICE and Border Patrol through 2029.

Left

Talarico Raises

Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico raised a record-breaking $27 million in the first quarter, outpacing both Republican rivals.
A Saturday shooting at the Washington Hilton prompted renewed congressional pressure to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
House Republicans passed a DHS funding bill, excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) funding.
Florida Senate approved a gerrymandered map creating four Republican seats despite an amendment banning redistricting.

Blindspot

Center coverage emphasized the Senate’s unanimous approval of a DHS appropriations bill and the subsequent House leadership’s reluctance to schedule a vote.
Left coverage gave less weight to these Senate actions and the related efforts to restore ICE and Border Patrol funding.

History

Historical Context

After the September 11 attacks, President Bush signed the Homeland Security Act on November 25 2002, merging 22 agencies into the new Department of Homeland Security, which began operations on March 1 2003 under Secretary Tom Ridge. The act’s 90-9 Senate vote marked the largest federal reorganization since 1947, and today’s stalled $1.6 billion payroll funding echoes the early-year partisan gridlock over the department’s initial appropriations.

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Mullin Warns Funding

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned the department’s $1.6 billion payroll pool could be depleted by early May without restored funding.
The Senate passed a DHS appropriations bill on March 27, with Speaker Mike Johnson yet to schedule a floor vote.
The bill, deemed haphazardly drafted, includes amendments aiming to restore ICE and Border Patrol funding.
John Thune urged House passage, saying reconciliation will fund ICE and Border Patrol through 2029.

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