Homeland Security funding bill falters again as Republicans warn of Iran risk

WASHINGTON (AP) — A bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security is stalling out again in Congress. Republicans invoked the war in Iran and the prospect of retaliatory terrorist attacks as they tried Thursday (March 5, 2026) to pass a bill funding the Department of Homeland Security. But Democrats blocked the legislation as they insist on changes to immigration enforcement operations. While the House will also take up the bill later in the day, the vote will be more about putting lawmakers on the record again about where they stand. In the end, a bipartisan compromise will have to be reached to end a DHS shutdown that began Feb. 14, 2026.