Funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency is still in limbo with lawmakers at an impasse over approving funding for the Department of Homeland Security for the remainder of fiscal year 2026.
Efforts to bring the department’s appropriations bill to a vote failed again in the Senate on March 5 and again on March 12, with lawmakers in both parties appearing unwilling to compromise. Democrats had pushed to fund all of their agencies, including FEMA, apart from Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Secretary’s Office with unanimous consent on March 5, but Alabama Republican Katie Britt blocked the smaller measure.
Democrats have demanded that Homeland Security require ICE agents to wear body cameras and refrain from wearing face masks, as well as stipulate an end to roving patrols before lawmakers support funding the entire agency.
“We’re not asking for the moon. We’re asking for basic measures to protect Americans’ constitutional rights and their safety,” Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said in a statement.
A vote failed to bring the full bill to the floor after the Democratic proposal also failed. Majority Leader Senator John Thune (RSD) called the Democratic proposal “unserious” and told the Senate on March 9: “Democrats want to fund the parts of the Department of Homeland Security they like and keep the rest closed indefinitely.”
However, with President Donald Trump’s firing of Secretary Kristi Noem, effective at the end of March, following a disastrous March 3 hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Sen. Thom Thillis (RNC) called for her removal, some lawmakers hope a deal can be reached in the coming weeks, according to news reports.
But Trump has added another wrinkle by saying he won’t sign any legislation until the Senate passes the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE Act, which would require voters to provide proof they are US citizens before they can vote in elections.
The White House formally sent the nomination March 10 to the Senate for Noem’s replacement, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), with a confirmation hearing scheduled for March 18.
Looking for quick answers on construction and engineering topics?
Try Ask ENR, our new intelligent AI search tool.
Ask ENR →
