With the partial government shutdown now surpassing 65 days, Senate Republicans are pushing forward with a significant reconciliation bill aimed at funding immigration enforcement. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham is leading the charge alongside Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who has introduced a resolution calling for $70 billion in funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from 2026 to 2035.
Graham stated, “Republicans are tackling something that needs immediate attention while their Democratic counterparts are trying to obstruct it. It’s straightforward: we must fully fund Border Patrol and ICE given the serious threats facing America.” Meanwhile, he’s been facing criticism for his staunch support for the Iran conflict and for visiting Disney World in late March during the turmoil.
On another front, the House of Representatives also indicated it would expedite the passage of the reconciliation bill before considering another measure that would completely fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A DHS funding bill, which was approved early on March 27 but lacks backing for ICE and CBP, has been stalled since its passage.
House Minority Leader Steve Scalise noted, “Today, the Senate is beginning to look at the reduction and reconciliation legislation focused on ICE and CBP, and we will proceed once it’s introduced here.”
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the importance of sequencing, cautioning against isolating critical agencies within the department. He expressed worries that rushing through a large part of the sector could leave essential areas unaddressed, which simply can’t happen.
A Senate vote on the budget is anticipated later this week, reportedly requiring only 51 votes to pass. Since February 14, DHS has been on hold due to a conflict between Senate Democrats and Republicans concerning reforms to ICE, following tragic shootings in Minneapolis earlier this year. Democrats aimed to attach a list of reform measures, including prohibitions on body cameras and judicial warrants, to the DHS funding.
Initially, Johnson had dismissed the DHS funding bill from March as a “joke” and a “gambit,” but he later revealed plans to collaborate with Thune on a dual approach to resolve the ongoing shutdown. Efforts are also focused on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed in 2025 and designates $165 billion for various initiatives, including hiring workers and finishing the southern border wall.
Other departments, such as the Transportation Security Administration, are grappling with payroll delays. President Trump had to step in with an executive order on March 27, mandating that airport employees receive their pay, including owed wages, during this shutdown.
