Trump Ties DHS Funding Deal to Approval of Voter Bill

Source: US News & World Report/Reuters

March 22, 2026, at 8:41 p.m.


WASHINGTON, March 22 (Reuters) - President ⁠Donald ⁠Trump on Sunday said his fellow ⁠Republicans should not reach an agreement on funding the Department of Homeland ​Security until Democrats in Congress approve a bill that requires people registering to vote to provide proof of U.S. ‌citizenship.

In a post on social media, ‌Trump said congressional Republicans should not make "any deal" with Democrats until they agree to pass the voter ⁠bill known ⁠as the Save America Act. Trump pointed to Democratic lawmakers' demands related to ​a dispute over DHS funding that has left the agency unfunded since February 13.

The lack of funds has meant tens of thousands of Transportation Security Administration personnel have worked without pay for five weeks, leading some airport security ​workers to call in sick or quit entirely. TSA absences this weekend reached their highest level ⁠since ⁠the partial government shutdown began, ⁠DHS said on ​Sunday. Passing the voter bill, Trump wrote, is "far more important than anything else" on the Senate's agenda, ​including DHS funding.

The president had ⁠already threatened on March 8 to withhold his signature from any other legislation until Congress passes the Republican-backed voting bill. The bill currently lacks the 60 votes needed to overcome Democratic opposition in the 100-member Senate, where Republicans hold 53 seats.

Read more: https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2026-03-22/trump-ties-dhs-funding-deal-to-approval-of-voter-bill-newsnation-reports