Senate votes to fund much of DHS, minus immigration enforcement

"The legislation now goes to the House for a vote. The DHS funding lapse forced tens of thousands of employees to work without pay - or quit and resulted in long waits at some airports amid peak spring break travel."

"Democrats have refused to support funding for DHS over objections to immigration enforcement tactics used by the agency's officers. Democrats insisted on reforms to the agency after federal officers killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis."

"Ha Nguyen McNeil, the TSA acting administrator, told lawmakers at a hearing on Wednesday that absences are as high as 40 percent in some airports and more than 480 TSA officers have quit during the shutdown."

"We are really concerned about our security posture and what the long term impacts of this shutdown is going to have on the workforce and our ability to carry out this mission."

The Senate voted to fund significant portions of the Department of Homeland Security after a prolonged standoff over immigration enforcement tactics. The approved bill does not allocate funds for the agency's primary immigration enforcement operations. This funding lapse has led to tens of thousands of employees working without pay and long airport wait times. Democrats have resisted funding due to concerns over enforcement tactics, insisting on reforms. The TSA has faced high absenteeism and officer resignations during the shutdown, raising security concerns.

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