MORNING HEADLINES | The U.S. Senate voted early Friday morning to fund a large portion of the Department of Homeland Security, raising the prospect of an end to a weekslong partial shutdown that has strained federal workers and caused long delays at airports.
The vote left out funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol, reflecting a proposal that Democrats offered for weeks as they refused to fund federal immigration operations without adding new restrictions on agents.
“Senate Democrats were clear: no blank check for a lawless ICE and Border Patrol,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said after the measure passed.
The bill must still be considered by the U.S. House, which could vote on it as soon as today. But it is unclear whether it would pass the slim Republican majority. A number of hard-right Republicans have criticized the Senate’s approach and oppose a funding bill that does not include new money for immigration enforcement.
Should the House approve the measure and President Trump sign it, the deal would end a negotiating standoff that caused the longest partial government shutdown on record.
Though several agencies had gone without funding, the shutdown most visibly affected airport security workers. Hundreds of them quit or called out of work, leading to staggeringly long lines at some of the busiest airports in the country.
In today’s issue of the Charleston City Paper
CP OPINION: Charleston City Council needs to get back to work, hold mayor’s office accountable. “”Charleston city council members enjoyed a hearty chuckle during last April’s State of the City address when Mayor William Cogswell boasted that under his leadership, council meetings have been ‘civil, productive and well, short.'”
- Hogan: A tale of two Fairey happenings
- CP CARTOONS: Stegelin: Why are you protesting?
- CP CARTOONS: No end in sight
CP FEATURE: Charleston pastors ponder question of Jesus’ appearance. On Easter morning, Lowcountry pastors will preach similar messages of Jesus’ resurrection, but if Christians are asked to describe their Messiah’s appearance, the answers might vary.
CP NEWS: Gullah Geechee Corridor marks milestone, new leader. On the 20th anniversary year of the federal law that created the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, the commission which manages it has chosen a new leader.
CP FOOD: The many splendors of crab rice. Anyone who has been lucky enough to eat the crab rice at the East Side’s Hannibal Kitchen’s — a perfect mix of crab meat, sauteed onion, bell peppers and white rice — has had a taste of heaven.
CP MUSIC: Blues By The Sea festival returns to Charleston April 19. If you love Howlin’ Wolf more than Harry Styles, you’ll be happy to know that the blues is alive and well in Charleston. Or more specifically, on Kiawah Island.
Find lots of cool stuff to do around Charleston
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In recent headlines
Everything you need to know about the Cooper River Bridge Run. Taking on the Cooper River Bridge Run in 2026? Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned veteran, here’s your complete guide to navigating race weekend like a pro.
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Charleston County is using a special tax incentive to build attainable housing. Plans for an attainable housing complex off Rivers Avenue are moving forward with help from a special tax break being used for the first time to incentivize affordable housing in Charleston County.
Lego display brings Rainbow Row, pirates, history to life at Old Exchange in Charleston. A local artist has recreated Rainbow Row, White Point Garden and the Old Exchange building brick-by-brick — quite literally — in a custom Lego display now on view downtown.
Protesters set to march for ‘No Kings’ amid busy Charleston weekend. As the tri-county region prepares for the Cooper River Bridge Run downtown and the Flowertown Festival in Summerville, some are preparing to protest in the area’s third “No Kings” demonstration March 28.
Summerville springs to life as Flowertown Festival returns. Summerville’s signature spring tradition returns this weekend as the Flowertown Festival kicks off its 53rd year, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the heart of its downtown.
S.C. Senate approves ‘halo’ for first responders without 25-foot requirement. A bill guaranteeing a “reasonable distance” between first responders and onlookers passed the Senate unanimously Thursday after the chamber’s retired police officer advocated getting rid of the proposal’s 25-foot requirement.
- S.C. Senate advances bill requiring students to use bathrooms based on sex at birth
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- South Carolina extends 2025 income tax filing deadline as lawmakers weigh conformity bill
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