It’s Tuesday…
Shitshow’s public schedule for…
Yesterday, the Senate confirmed former Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) as Secretary of Homeland Security. Cosplay credentials pending.
By a vote of 54-45, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Markwayne Mullin to be Secretary of Homeland Security.
— Senate Press Gallery (@SenatePress) March 24, 2026
The breakdown of the vote:
Oklahoma Governor Republican Kevin Stitt has announced Mullin’s temp Senate replacement.
I am honored to announce my appointment of Alan Armstrong to the U.S. Senate.
— Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) March 24, 2026
Alan is a proud third-generation Oklahoman, staunch conservative, respected business leader, and a devoted family man with an inspiring American Dream story.
He is entering the U.S. Senate at a…
Show more =’s He is entering the U.S. Senate at a critical time for advancing reforms to secure America’s energy future. I have no doubt that his perspective will be influential in moving the needle on permitting reform to unlock American competitiveness and energy affordability for generations to come. Congratulations, Alan! You’ll make Oklahoma proud!
Politico live updates says: Armstrong will serve until a successor is elected in November. Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) is the heavy favorite to win a full term.
Dysfunction Junction
The Department of Homeland Security has been partially shut down for 38 days.
How we got here:
Democrats refused to fund DHS unless reforms to ICE were included: no masks, bodycams, and no entering homes or businesses without judicial warrants.
Republicans refused to agree to those demands.
On Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Thune presented Chief Toddler with a plan to end the shutdown by allowing TSA and others to be paid, while denying Democrats their ICE reform demands.
The offer:
Republicans and Democrats would fund everything except ICE. ICE funding would be handled separately through the Senate reconciliation process. Punchbowl News first reported the deal. According to sources, Chief Toddler rejected it.
He then publicly rejected the deal on Sunday.
One of the dealmakers, Senator John Kennedy, went on Fox Entertainment to confirm there was a deal. Chief Toddler said “no,” because of course he did. Back to square one.
Sen. John Kennedy: "The Democrats offered to open up everything but ICE. Ted and I said, 'Ok, let's accept their offer,' and then at the same time we would offer a bill for reconciliation where we don't need any Democratic votes to do whatever we wanted to do with ICE. That way… pic.twitter.com/AeDYYmwfMD
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 23, 2026
Show more =’s That way we’re out of the shutdown and DHS is back open. Thune submitted that to President Trump. He said, ‘No. No deals with the Democrats.’ So we’re back to square one.
Tuesday, there is reporting of a new deal.
The “new” deal:
Republicans and Democrats would fund everything except ICE. ICE funding and part of the SAVE American Act would be handled separately through the Senate reconciliation process.
The Senate is closing in on a deal to fund the bulk of the Department of Homeland Security and end the partial government shutdown that has stretched for six weeks. https://t.co/DaFSXpxidn
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 24, 2026
The Senate is closing in on a deal to fund the bulk of the Department of Homeland Security and end the partial government shutdown that has stretched six weeks and snarled air travel.
A group of Senate Republicans met with President Trump at the White House on Monday evening and returned to the Capitol optimistic about a possible deal. Asked by reporters if Republicans had a solution, Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama said, “We do.”
[snip]
The emerging agreement would involve funding the many agencies that DHS oversees, including TSA, FEMA and the Coast Guard, while leaving out funds for Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s deportation operations. Senate Republicans would then work to approve those ICE funds, along with elements of elections legislation known as the SAVE America Act, through the budget reconciliation process.
CBS News. 03/24/2026.
Senator John Kennedy went back to Fox Entertainment seemed to confirm a “new” deal was in the works and that Chief Toddler is reconsidering the deal.
Sen. Kennedy on his plan to reopen all of DHS with the exception of ICE: "I talked to Thune last night and he says the president has reconsidered and may be on board" pic.twitter.com/j3jgUBuxOf
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 24, 2026
The Senate reconciliation process allows the Senators to bypass the 60 votes needed rule when working on budget items. How the SAVE act would get passed the budget requirement rules is unknown. As the House Freedumb Caucus pointed out.
Senate Republicans refused to force a talking filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act because it would have allowed Democrats to offer unlimited amendments.
— House Freedom Caucus (@freedomcaucus) March 24, 2026
Now, Senate R’s claim they will pass SAVE America Act via reconciliation (which may not even be possible under the…
Show more =’s Now, Senate R’s claim they will pass SAVE America Act via reconciliation (which may not even be possible under the Senate’s arcane rules), which would… *checks notes* …allow Democrats to offer unlimited amendments. This is gaslighting. The American people are not stupid and will not accept more failure theater from Republicans in Congress. PASS THE SAVE AMERICA ACT NOW.
A Senate Freedumb member also weighed-in.
It’s hard to imagine how the SAVE America Act could be passed through reconciliation
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) March 24, 2026
And by “hard” I mean “essentially impossible”
Here’s the truth happening at Dysfunction Junction.
The SAVE Act does not have the votes to pass the Senate. What Thune and other Senate Republicans are trying to do is help Chief Toddler save face. He and the Freedumbs are too deep in the cult to admit it — or too stupid to realize it.
Either way, the Senate SAVE Act is dead.
D. E. A. D. Dead.
Chief Toddler has not offered his opinion of the “new” deal.
This is an Open Thread
