House and Senate GOP leaders outline two-step strategy to reopen DHS while deferring immigration funding fight.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday he is moving forward with a Senate-backed plan to end a 47-day partial government shutdown, reversing his earlier criticism of the same legislation as a “joke.”
Johnson and John Thune announced a coordinated approach to restore funding for the Department of Homeland Security, combining an immediate appropriations measure with a follow-up effort using the Senate’s reconciliation process.
Under the plan, the House would pass a Senate-approved bill that funds most DHS operations but excludes immigration enforcement agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. Lawmakers would then pursue separate legislation to fund those agencies through reconciliation, which requires only a simple majority vote in the Senate.
“In the coming days, Republicans in the Senate and House will be following through on the President’s directive by fully funding the entire Department of Homeland Security on two parallel tracks,” Johnson and Thune said in a joint statement.
They added that the strategy is intended to reopen federal operations, ensure workers receive pay, and ultimately provide long-term funding for border enforcement.
The Senate passed the funding bill last week through unanimous consent during an early morning session, with a small number of senators present and no objections raised before adjournment for the Easter recess.
Johnson had sharply criticized that legislation days earlier, questioning whether lawmakers had fully reviewed its contents and describing it as inadequate.
The shutdown, which has lasted more than six weeks, has affected multiple DHS components, including the Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Transportation Security Administration. TSA personnel have continued working without pay during the lapse, contributing to extended wait times at airports.
Republican leaders said the funding dispute unfolded amid broader disagreements with Democrats over immigration policy and enforcement priorities. In their statement, Johnson and Thune argued that their approach would ensure continued support for border security operations while addressing the immediate need to restore agency funding.
Some Republican lawmakers expressed concern about separating immigration enforcement funding from the broader DHS budget. Keith Self criticized the approach shortly after it was announced.
“Funding for ICE and CBP must never be separated from DHS funding,” Self said, warning that dividing the process could weaken enforcement efforts.
The plan marks a shift in strategy for House leadership as lawmakers attempt to resolve the prolonged shutdown while continuing negotiations over immigration funding and broader budget priorities.
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