Funding of a bill for the Department of Homeland Security was passed by members of the House of Representatives of the United States earlier today, Thursday, April 30, 2026 — which means that the record partial shutdown of the federal government of the United States will most likely finally end.
Breaking News: Funding Bill For Department of Homeland Security Passed by Congress
Lindsey Graham — who is the current senior senator serving South Carolina — posted the following on his X social media account:
I’m very grateful that the House has passed the DHS funding bill that was sent over by the Senate.
This is a major step forward to secure our nation and take care of our people who take care of us. To finish the job, Senate and House Republicans must pass the reconciliation bill that fully funds ICE and Border Patrol through the rest of President Trump’s term.
As Senate Budget Committee Chairman, I am determined to get this done. Failure is not an option.
The bill awaits the signature of Donald J. Trump — who is the current president of the United States — in order for the partial shutdown of the federal government to finally officially end.
The partial shutdown started on Saturday, February 14, 2026 and caused agents of the Transportation Security Administration to not be paid for weeks despite being required to continue to work — which in turn resulted in the Global Entry trusted traveler program being temporarily suspended on Sunday, February 22, 2026 before finally being reinstated on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
The TSA Pre✓ trusted traveler program was almost shut down along with Global Entry; but a vociferous outcry from the public averted that from happening, as it would have severely aversely impacted commercial aviation in the United States.
At one point, the situation was bad enough that one airport called for voluntary donations to help support agents of the Transportation Security Administration while they were working regular hours but not getting paid. Trump ordered that agents of the Transportation Security Administration be paid during the partial shutdown of the federal government.
Final Boarding Call
Frankly, 76 days of a shutdown of the federal government of the United States — even if the shutdown was only partial — is a new record which was inexcusably and unacceptably way too long in duration; and it should never happen again. Citizens of the United States do not deserve this level of incompetence and lack of a sense of urgency.
Thankfully, the partial shutdown has just about ended…
…and I believe more strongly than ever that politicians should be required to obey every law that they pass…
Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.
