Senate Advances Cloture Motion on Markwayne Mullin's Nomination as Homeland Security Secretary

• The Department of Homeland Security shutdown risks becoming the longest-ever funding lapse for any federal agency as Congress remains deadlocked, with Democrats pushing to fund all DHS agencies except Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and the secretary's office. • Republicans argue the entire department must be funded together and note that ICE and CBP already received approximately $140 billion from tax and spending legislation enacted last summer. • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for immediate TSA funding while negotiations continue on outstanding immigration enforcement issues, but Republicans continue blocking Democratic proposals, holding federal workers hostage according to Democratic critics.

• Republican legislators in Florida are advancing proof-of-citizenship voting laws as President Trump continues pushing the Senate to pass his SAVE America Act at the federal level. • The state-level legislation mirrors key provisions of Trump's federal SAVE Act, including requirements to prove citizenship before voting, reflecting alignment between state and federal Republican priorities on election security. • Florida's legislative action demonstrates coordinated effort across states to implement stricter voter identification and citizenship verification measures despite the federal SAVE Act facing significant opposition in the Senate.

• President Trump directed federal immigration agents to assist TSA at US airports during a partial shutdown over Department of Homeland Security funding, with agents guarding exit lanes and checking passenger IDs unless Democrats agree to fund the agency. • White House border czar Tom Homan is leading the airport security effort and has been meeting with bipartisan senators, though negotiations have not yet reached total agreement on resolving the shutdown. • Democrats are demanding major changes to federal immigration operations and have stated willingness to fund TSA and most DHS components, citing concerns about escalated tensions among frustrated travelers and unpaid screeners.

• On March 20, 2026, the Trump administration unveiled a policy framework for AI governance, organized around seven pillars emphasizing child protection, free speech, U.S. innovation, and workforce development. • The framework calls on Congress to preempt state and local AI laws, arguing AI development is an interstate issue with national security implications, and opposes new federal agencies. • It recommends sector-specific applications via existing regulators, industry standards, and AI resources like grants and tax incentives for small businesses to boost deployment.

• U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth ruled on March 7, 2026, that Kari Lake lacked authority to reduce Voice of America to a skeleton crew, ordering hundreds of employees back to work. • The government appealed the order on Thursday, as the White House nominated Sarah Rogers to lead the parent U.S. Agency for Global Media and appointed Newsmax executive Christopher Wallace as VOA deputy director. • Congress allocated $200 million in the February budget bill, a 25% cut but bipartisan support; experts question if objective journalism will persist under State Department influence.

• A late-night cloture vote on March 20, 2026, failed to advance the FY-2026 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security, leaving TSA underfunded amid high travel volumes. • Daily TSA passenger throughput exceeds 2.4 million due to spring-break and March Madness demand, with missed connections at 8% versus a normal 1.6%, prompting three-hour early arrivals for domestic flights. • Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer plans a Saturday vote on a TSA-only continuing resolution, but GOP leaders signal they will block it, risking Easter travel chaos.

• The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation announced rescission of its Statement of Policy on Qualifications for Failed Bank Acquisitions, effective March 23, 2026. • The move simplifies regulatory approach to bank resolutions amid ongoing financial policy adjustments under the Trump administration.

• President Trump demands passage of the SAVE Act, which requires passport or birth certificate for voter registration, photo ID at polls, and in-person citizenship proof for mail-in ballots, refusing to sign other legislation until it passes. • The bill would compel states to share voter rolls with the federal government; Senate Majority Leader John Thune refuses to eliminate the filibuster, dimming prospects. • Political history professor Nolan Higdon warns it could disrupt midterms by forcing separate state and federal elections if rules can't be implemented in time.

• President signed S. 4138 into law on Friday, March 20, 2026, waiving the 60-day notice requirement for posthumous honorary promotion of Captain Cody Khork, United States Army. • The bill expedites the standard Congressional notification process that typically precedes military posthumous honors. • This action reflects Congressional commitment to honoring fallen service members through streamlined legislative procedures.

• Senate rejected a cloture motion on H.R. 7147, a consolidated appropriations bill for fiscal year 2026, on March 20, 2026, with 47 votes in favor and 37 opposed, failing to reach the 60-vote threshold required for advancement. • The procedural defeat underscores continued partisan divisions over government funding as the DHS shutdown approaches five weeks. • The failed vote indicates ongoing legislative gridlock as lawmakers attempt to resolve multiple appropriations disputes.

• White House border czar Tom Homan met with bipartisan senators on Friday evening, March 20, proposing additional immigration enforcement concessions to resolve the ongoing Homeland Security shutdown now entering its fifth week. • Republicans offered fresh draft legislation addressing Democratic concerns, though judicial warrant requirements for immigration raids and identification masking policies remain contentious points between parties. • Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins called the latest GOP offer 'very fair and reasonable,' while Democratic aides indicated 'a ways to go' in securing reforms necessary for Democratic caucus support.