Lawmakers advance a bipartisan measure to restore most Homeland Security operations while leaving key enforcement agencies for a separate funding fight.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Senate has passed legislation to restore funding for most components of the Department of Homeland Security, advancing a bipartisan agreement aimed at ending a 48-day partial shutdown affecting the agency.
According to Fox News, the measure cleared the Senate by voice vote on Thursday and now moves to the House of Representatives. Lawmakers in the House are not expected to take up the bill until they return to Washington on April 13.
The legislation represents the first step in a broader strategy supported by Republican leadership to address DHS funding through a two-phase approach. The immediate bill is designed to restore operations across much of the department while leaving unresolved funding for certain enforcement agencies.
President Donald Trump had urged lawmakers to resolve the funding lapse, setting a timeline for action as negotiations continued. The Senate agreement reflects that initial phase, focusing on areas where bipartisan support could be secured.
Two major DHS components—Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border Patrol—are not included in the current funding measure. Republican lawmakers have indicated that funding for those agencies will be addressed separately through a budget reconciliation package, which would allow passage without Democratic support.
That second phase is expected to seek multi-year funding for both agencies. President Trump has said he wants that legislation finalized and delivered for approval by June 1.
The partial funding bill is intended to restore stability to DHS operations while negotiations continue over broader immigration enforcement priorities. Until the House acts on the measure, the shutdown affecting portions of the department remains in effect.
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