John Thune criticizes Democrats’ push to shut down DHS

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has accused Democratic lawmakers of using the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown for political gain, while discussing recent Senate efforts to fund various government agencies. He also referenced President Donald Trump’s remarks concerning the surge in gas prices.

The House is expected to wrap up the unprecedented DHS shutdown, but tensions among Republicans persist due to the Senate’s strategic approach to funding. On Thursday, the Senate once again attempted to advance part of the DHS funding bill, which had been blocked by House Republicans earlier. This discontent was evident, as lawmakers expressed their frustrations with House Speaker Mike Johnson during a private conference call.

This unrest was fueled by a sudden shift from Johnson, who, after being influenced by President Trump, decided to support Thune’s two-pronged plan that involves passing segments of the Senate’s DHS bill while simultaneously funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through a partisan agreement scheduled for discussion next Wednesday.

A senior Republican voiced concerns to Fox News Digital about the Senate’s handling of the DHS deal and the need for more decisive action towards reconciliation from their colleagues in the Senate.

Even with mounting resentment towards Johnson’s approach, House Republicans don’t seem eager to rush back to Washington, D.C., to put an end to the ongoing 48-day shutdown. They’re set to return on April 14, and according to insiders, there aren’t any plans to convene early for a vote on the proposed bill.

There is significant frustration with the situation, with some describing the experience as feeling like “whiplash.” One source revealed that many were dissatisfied, insisting they wouldn’t support any measures that cut funding for law enforcement agencies, urging Thune to press the Senate into action.

Some in the House believe that Congress should prioritize funding the president’s immigration and border security initiatives through reconciliation before considering the Senate’s plan. This process, however, is expected to be lengthy—taking several months.

If Johnson pushes ahead with the Senate bill as is, conservative factions may voice their dissent regarding how he presents it. If they lack unified support for the partial DHS bill from the Senate, he might have to navigate it under a suspension of House rules, which would require a two-thirds majority—creating potential discontent among conservatives if Democratic votes are necessary for passage.

The House Republicans had the option to pass the DHS bill swiftly, similar to the Senate’s approach, but opted not to. Thune commented that he was uncertain when the House would take up the bill, but he anticipated a flurry of activity once they proceed with budget reconciliation.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on House Republicans to act immediately, labeling the current situation as “the longest government shutdown in history.” He criticized the internal discord within the House GOP for prolonging the shutdown, affecting federal workers who are missing paychecks.

Meanwhile, President Trump plans to implement measures to pay DHS employees who are working without compensation. He stated on Truth Social that, due to Democrats’ intentions regarding immigration, he will sign an order to ensure those workers receive payment.