WASHINGTON, United States, March 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The US Senate moved 
Friday to end a budget standoff that has forced thousands of airport security 
staff to work without pay and caused long delays at airports.

A lapse in government funding has left Transportation Security Administration 
(TSA) staff -- who screen passengers, baggage and cargo -- working without 
pay since mid-February.

Airports in several cities have warned travelers to arrive hours earlier than 
usual because of long security lines.

The funding dispute centered on demands by opposition Democrats for reforms 
of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authority, which has faced 
nationwide criticism of its aggressive tactics against undocumented 
immigrants and for the killings of two US citizens this year.

Senators voted in favor of a bill shortly after 2:00 am (0600GMT) to fund all 
of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) -- which is the TSA's parent agency 
-- except ICE and Border Patrol, for 2026.

The bill would provide funding for the TSA, the Coast Guard and the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, among other agencies.

It must now be passed by the House.

More than 300 TSA staff have quit and unscheduled absences have surged since 
the shutdown began, leading to extended travel delays and airports struggling 
to screen travelers.

The federal government began deploying ICE agents to assist in providing 
security, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats, rights activists and some 
Republicans, who warn ICE personnel are not trained for such work and that it 
risks escalating tensions in already stressed environments.

President Donald Trump, who promised on Thursday to pay airport security 
officers, previously said he would not sign a funding deal unless Congress 
also passes a contentious bill to overhaul how citizens register to vote in 
US elections.