House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has indicated he will not advance legislation to reopen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) until Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) initiates the party-line budget reconciliation process for a separate immigration funding bill. The current partial shutdown of DHS, excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), stems from a deal Thune struck with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). President Donald Trump has set a June 1 deadline for Congress to pass the narrow immigration funding package.
Part 1: Immediate Action & Core Facts
- House Speaker Mike Johnson is delaying DHS funding legislation until Senate Republicans move forward with reconciliation for ICE and CBP funding.
- Senate Republicans are debating whether to fund the entire DHS for three years or focus narrowly on ICE and CBP to avoid another shutdown.
Part 2: Deeper Dive & Context
Funding Debate and Deadlines
Senate Republicans are divided on the scope of the immigration enforcement funding bill. Some advocate for a three-year funding package to prevent future shutdowns, while others prefer a narrower bill to expedite passage. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has proposed funding ICE and CBP for three to 10 years and plans to meet with the White House to finalize details. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) noted that GOP leaders aim to keep the bill as narrow as possible to secure broader support.
House Inaction and Democratic Response
The House has not yet acted on the Senate-passed bill funding DHS except for ICE and CBP. House Democrats held a private conference call, expressing unity in backing the Senate bill but acknowledging they lack control over its floor schedule. Democratic leaders also addressed concerns about lawmaker travel and safety following the Senate’s unanimous passage of a bill ending special treatment for members.
Trump’s Deadline
President Trump has given Congress until June 1 to pass the immigration funding package, adding urgency to the negotiations. The partial shutdown of DHS has lasted 53 days and counting, with no immediate resolution in sight.