SAVE America Act and DHS Funding Standoff

April 10, 2025 – March 20, 2026

Where Things Stand

The SAVE America Act is currently stalled in the Senate after Democrats blocked a key procedural vote, leaving the legislation without a clear path to passage. Consequently, the Department of Homeland Security remains in a partial shutdown, forcing 260,000 employees to work without pay and causing severe travel delays at major U.S. airports.

How We Got Here

Mar 23, 2026The Senate holds a fourth cloture motion on the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act as the funding standoff continues. [H.R. 7147]

Mar 21, 2026Senate Democrats block a procedural vote to advance the SAVE America Act, preventing the bill from moving to a final vote. [The Atlantic]

Mar 11, 2026Senator Jacky Rosen introduces legislation to ensure TSA employees receive paychecks during the ongoing government shutdown. [S. 4073]

Key Statements

WWashington Examiner

“Partial government shutdown over DHS funding leads to TSA staffing shortages and two-hour wait times at Atlanta's airport as employees work without pay.”

This provides direct evidence of the real-world consequences of the DHS funding standoff.

TThe Hill

“The House passed a $64.4 billion DHS funding bill, including $10 billion for ICE, in a 220-207 vote with seven Democrats joining Republicans.”

This confirms the legislative status and the specific bipartisan split on the funding bill.

Policies— 11 policys

H.R. 22 (the original SAVE Act) required proof of citizenship to register to vote and passed the House in April 2025, but stalled in the Senate. H.R. 7296 and S. 3752 (the SAVE America Act) expanded it with mandatory photo ID. The House passed H.R. 7296 by substituting its text into S. 1383 — originally the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act — using it as the legislative vehicle. S. 1383 with the SAVE America Act text is now the bill being debated in the Senate. A cloture vote failed 41-49 on March 21, 2026.

S. 4073

Sen. Rosen Introduces TSA Pay Act of 2026 to Fund Airport Security During Shutdown

Mar 12

H.R. 7744

Congress Proposes $26 Billion for Disaster Relief and New Rules for Border Security in 2026 Budget

Mar 2

H.R. 7147

House Passes Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026, Including $26B Disaster Relief Fund

Feb 24

H.R. 7481

House Committee Reviews DHS Funding Bill With $26B for Disaster Relief, Equal Airport Screening for Congress

Feb 11