Despite various agreements that could potentially ensure funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and maintain immigration operations, Congress appears to be unhurried about resolving what has become the longest shutdown in history.
Lawmakers are preparing for a two-week break around Easter, with no plans to return until Monday. This allows for the possibility that the existing funding impasse might drag on into the summer, particularly given the competing proposals from Republicans.
What started as a clash with Congressional Democrats has now morphed into a schism within the Republican Party itself. This internal strife complicates efforts to resolve the shutdown and reopen DHS, adding further uncertainty to the situation.
Senate Minority Leader John Thune expressed concern about limited solutions to end the shutdown. He noted that Senate Democrats have obstructed funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) without agreeing on necessary reforms.
Thune questioned, “For those who aren’t satisfied with our approach, offer a better plan. We’ll have to see how the House responds.”
The House is set to reconvene soon, marking 59 days of the shutdown.
Meanwhile, the Senate has put forward a spending bill that would reduce funding for parts of ICE and CBP while ensuring support for DHS. This is part of a broader effort to fund immigration enforcement through a budget reconciliation process that may become partisan.
House Republicans had previously turned down this proposal but, following President Trump’s insistence on a resolution with ICE and CBP funding by June 1, House Speaker Mike Johnson agreed to the Senate’s terms.
However, discontent among House Republicans is palpable, and they are now threatening to prolong the shutdown further.
Recently, the House had an opportunity to advance the Senate’s proposal, but Republican opposition stalled progress. Instead, the parties opted for a conference call to dispute any voting on the Senate’s version until substantial progress is achieved.
The House Freedom Caucus responded by advocating for a comprehensive funding approach using a single budget reconciliation bill for the entire department.
“ICE and CBP shouldn’t be left hoping for a favorable outcome. We need to use this settlement to ensure the full funding of the DHS,” the group stated online.
It’s uncertain whether the House Republicans will rally behind this strategy when they return, but it provides Congressional Democrats with some talking points amid the ongoing standoff.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer labeled the shutdown the “Johnson Shutdown,” indicating that, had the bill been voted on, it would have likely passed easily. “This shutdown is emblematic of the Republican Party’s disunity,” he remarked.
Back in March, President Trump had indicated that existing funds would be used to compensate all DHS employees, which eased some of the immediate pressure on Congress. Still, the sustainability of this arrangement remains in question without additional funding approvals.
Skipping the standard government funding procedures could set a new, perhaps risky, precedent. Normally, budgets are developed through a bipartisan consensus process, resulting in shared victories for both parties.
However, the current move towards budget reconciliation can undermine traditional appropriations, raising concerns about future governance practices, as pointed out by Senator Chris Van Hollen.
