House Republicans Push for DHS Funding Amid Shutdown
On Friday night, House Republicans made significant strides in their effort to address the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as they passed a crucial measure that brings them into direct conflict with the Senate.
The House Rules Committee advanced a two-month stopgap for DHS after Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana, firmly dismissed a Senate-passed funding agreement, referring to it as a “joke.” Even President Trump voiced his disapproval of the Senate’s plan during an interview.
This Senate agreement strips funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from the DHS budget over the year, effectively stopping around $5.5 billion designed for the agency. It also severely cuts funds for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), saving more than $11 billion intended for operations and support.
“The Senate’s proposal is nothing short of unconditional surrender disguised as a solution, and the House will not acquiesce and surrender,” remarked Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-S.C., who chairs the Rules Committee.
Republican Strategy Faces Pushback
While House Republicans are likely to secure enough votes for the 60-day continuing resolution (CR), they can only afford minimal dissent within their ranks. A final vote could happen as soon as Friday night.
Democrats are expected to reject this short-term funding bill, asserting it supports Trump’s immigration actions without necessary reforms. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York criticized Republicans for prolonging the government’s 42-day shutdown.
“This could and should end today,” Jeffries stated. He emphasized that a bipartisan bill from the Senate could reopen non-controversial portions of the DHS, ensure TSA workers receive pay, and restore order at airports nationwide.
However, the House’s proposed CR stands little chance in the Senate, where Democrats have previously blocked various Republican attempts for short-term extensions during the shutdown.
As some senators depart Washington for overseas engagements, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer argues against Johnson’s plan, insisting that an agreement had been reached between both parties to a funding bill that would also involve defunding immigration enforcement.
Democratic Dissent and Future Negotiations
“A 60-day CR that locks in the status quo is dead when it gets to the Senate, and Republicans know that,” Schumer remarked.
A Republican aide mentioned that the quickest way to conclude the shutdown is for the House to pass the bill sent by the Senate. There have been multiple attempts by Senate Republicans to push their CR, but they have been obstructed consistently by Democrats.
House Republican Leadership Conference Chair, Lisa McClain from Michigan, expressed a desire for the Senate to reconvene. However, she criticized the notion of passing a bill sent by the Senate at such a late hour, indicating a firm stance against reverting to previous policies concerning border control.
Senate Republicans are preparing to promote funding for ICE and CBP through a new budget reconciliation bill, aiming for a similar outcome as last year’s legislation associated with Trump.
Concerns on Border Control
McClain argued that funding for ICE and the Border Patrol should be addressed through the normal appropriations process rather than through a large partisan bill. She stressed the importance of securing border guarantees, stating, “I’m not going to roll the dice and say, ‘Oh, let’s make peace.’ No, let’s do what the American people sent us here in 2016, which is to keep our people safe and keep our borders closed.”
