Post by : Badri Ariffin

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune revealed a coordinated strategy on Wednesday aimed at securing full funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), potentially ending the prolonged partial government shutdown.

The Republican leaders detailed a two-pronged approach. The initial track revives the Senate’s plan to fund the bulk of DHS operations, excluding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol. The second track entails a push for separate legislation later this year to secure funding for these agencies through a party-line vote.

Uncertainties loom over both tracks, including possible dissent from within the GOP, even with former President Donald Trump backing the initiative. Johnson and Thune reiterated their support for Trump’s initiative to resolve the shutdown.

“This plan strives to bring an end to the Democrat-induced DHS shutdown,” they stated in a joint announcement.

This declaration reflects a revision of the previous week’s Senate bipartisan funding proposal, which was passed unanimously. Although the Senate could review the same framework as soon as Thursday, the timeline for House advancement remains uncertain. The second phase on funding ICE and Border Patrol could extend several months.

Earlier, House Republicans dismissed the Senate’s plan, instead proposing a 60-day full DHS funding bill, thereby prolonging the shutdown as lawmakers departed for a two-week break. The shutdown has now extended to 47 days.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer commended party unity in compelling Republicans to reassess their tactics, pointing out that GOP rifts have resulted in “American families bearing the brunt of their dysfunction.”

Nevertheless, some conservative Republicans maintain that funding ICE and Border Patrol is off the table. Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) cautioned against “dismissing law enforcement and leaving borders vulnerable.”

It remains uncertain if Speaker Johnson will muster sufficient support to reconvene the House before the mid-April break. As discussions continue, a more focused budget package later this year is anticipated to secure ICE and Border Patrol funding throughout the remainder of Trump’s presidency.

Trump reasserted his stance on Wednesday, advocating for a bill that funds the immigration segments of DHS without Democratic backing, aiming for it to be enacted by June 1.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries countered by urging Republicans to conclude the shutdown, compensate TSA workers, and fully fund all DHS operations outside of Trump’s deportation agenda.

While a majority of DHS personnel continue to work during the shutdown, many are going unpaid. TSA absences have caused disruptions at airport security checks, although backpay provided by Trump’s executive order is helping alleviate the situation.

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