Republicans consider funding investigations while delaying enforcement programs as negotiations intensify.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Senate Republicans are advancing a revised strategy to resolve the ongoing Department of Homeland Security funding impasse, centering on a plan that would partially fund immigration operations while leaving enforcement and removal programs unresolved.
The proposal, detailed in reporting by Fox News, follows a late-night meeting between President Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers, which participants described as a step toward ending the more than five-week shutdown.
Under the framework under discussion, lawmakers would move forward with funding for most DHS agencies, including core operations such as airport security, disaster response, and maritime protection. At the same time, funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement would be divided, with investigative functions—such as efforts targeting cartels, human trafficking networks, and child exploitation—receiving support, while enforcement and removal activities would remain unfunded for now.
The approach represents a departure from earlier Republican demands for full ICE funding and mirrors previous proposals from Democrats that sought to fund DHS operations without including enforcement programs.
Republican lawmakers acknowledged the shift, with one Senate source stating, “We’re going to have to move forward and give them what they want,” referring to Democratic priorities. Still, GOP leaders have framed the move as a tactical decision aimed at forcing a resolution to the standoff.
Despite the emerging agreement, the proposal would still require bipartisan support to pass, as it must reach the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a Senate filibuster. Questions remain about whether Democrats will accept the plan, even though it aligns with positions they have previously advanced.
Lawmakers in both chambers are also working to coordinate next steps, as any final agreement would need approval from the House as well as the Senate.
Concerns over national security and operational disruptions have added urgency to the negotiations. Lawmakers have cited long wait times at airports and broader risks tied to reduced staffing levels at key agencies during the funding lapse.
At the same time, Republicans are weighing how to proceed with elements of the SAVE America Act, a broader legislative priority tied to election integrity. Some lawmakers are exploring whether portions of the proposal could be incorporated into a budget reconciliation package, which would allow passage with a simple majority but is limited to fiscal matters.
That strategy could enable funding for certain ICE enforcement functions to be addressed separately, though procedural constraints imposed by the Senate parliamentarian may limit which provisions can be included.
The discussions mark a shift in tone following the White House meeting, with GOP leaders signaling increased willingness to separate immediate funding needs from longer-term policy goals.
Negotiations remain ongoing as lawmakers seek to finalize an agreement and restore full DHS operations ahead of an upcoming congressional recess.
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