Senate GOP-backed deal to end DHS shutdown draws extensive fire

DHS funding talks in limbo after Trump insists GOP pass SAVE America Act

Senate talks aimed at ending the 38-day DHS shutdown hit a new roadblock after President Trump called on Republicans to hold out for passage of the SAVE America Act.

Deal to end DHS shutdown may be within reach, key senators say - USA Today

US Republicans weigh deal to reopen most of DHS but not ICE deportations

<p>The homeland security shutdown has snarled airport lines and halted pay for some, even as lawmakers negotiate a deal</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/mar/24/us-politics-latest-news-donald-trump-ice-airport-midterms-donald-trump-marco-rubio">US politics live – latest updates</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&amp;utm_campaign=BN22326&amp;utm_content=signup&amp;utm_term=standfirst&amp;utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email</a></p></li></ul><p>Republican senators are considering a bipartisan deal to restore funding to most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that would initially exclude money for arrests and deportations of undocumented <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/usimmigration">immigrants</a>, according to media reports.</p><p>Und...

Rubio to testify in friend's trial over Venezuela oil deal

<p>Secretary of State <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/rubio-trump-iran-israel-attacks" target="_blank">Marco Rubio</a> is scheduled to testify Tuesday in the federal trial of former U.S. Rep. David Rivera (R-Fla.), a longtime political ally, friend and former housemate who's accused of secretly lobbying for Venezuela's government.</p><p><strong>Why it matters</strong>: The only-in-Miami trial sheds light on the unseemly world of shadowy, big-dollar foreign influence efforts in Latin America — and underscores how politically toxic Rivera has been to Rubio's career.</p><hr><ul><li>Rubio asked to be called as a prosecution witness after it became clear that Rivera's team planned to call him as a defense witness — a potential embarrassment for the secretary, three sources tell Axios.</li></ul><p><strong>Friction point:</strong> The timing of the trial comes at an extremely inconvenient time for the secretary of state. He's helping President Trump manage the fallout of the Iran...

Trump-endorsed North Carolina state Senate leader loses by 23 votes

Phil Berger conceded the race to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page.

WATCH LIVE: Senate expected to vote on DHS secretary confirmation for Mullin

The Senate is on track to confirm Markwayne Mullin as homeland security secretary, President Donald Trump's nominee to take over the embattled department after firing Kristi Noem amid a public backlash over the administration's immigration enforcement and mass deportation operations.