House Republicans are racing to pass a budget reconciliation bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amid internal divisions and a looming deadline. The Senate has already approved a $70 billion funding package for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through reconciliation, bypassing the 60-vote filibuster threshold. However, House Republicans are split over the narrow scope of the bill, with some advocating for a broader package that includes defense funding and affordability measures.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is pushing for a reconciliation bill to fund DHS, which has been partially shut down for over 70 days. The Senate’s $70 billion package focuses solely on immigration enforcement, but House Republicans are divided on whether to expand the bill to include other priorities. Johnson has indicated he is open to a third reconciliation bill to accommodate additional requests, but time is running short before the November elections.
Deeper Dive & Context
House Republicans’ Dilemma
Some House Republicans, including Reps. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) and Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), argue this may be the GOP’s last chance to pass partisan policies before the congressional balance of power potentially shifts in November. Others, like Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), oppose the bill due to concerns about adding to the national debt. Massie has been a frequent “no” vote on major spending legislation.
Speaker Johnson’s Challenges
Johnson must also win support for reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which allows warrantless collection of electronic data. A recent effort to reauthorize the provision failed, with over a dozen Republicans voting against it alongside Democrats. The provision has raised concerns about Fourth Amendment rights due to the incidental collection of Americans’ metadata.
Senate vs. House Strategy
The Senate’s two-step plan involves first passing a budget resolution to fund ICE and CBP, followed by drafting the actual reconciliation bill. However, House Republicans are frustrated that the Senate’s plan does not include other policy priorities. Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.) advocates for a larger bill that addresses defense funding and affordability, while Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) of the House Freedom Caucus believes the bill should be more expansive.
Political Implications
With a narrow House majority, Johnson can only afford to lose two votes before needing Democratic support. Democratic opposition to ICE and CBP funding has contributed to the monthslong partial shutdown of DHS. The outcome of the reconciliation bill could have significant implications for the GOP’s standing ahead of the November elections.