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House Passes Short-Term DHS Funding Amid Prolonged Shutdown
House Republicans narrowly approved a two-month funding extension for the Department of Homeland Security on Friday evening, voting 213-203 largely along party lines as the partial government shutdown approaches its seventh week with no end in sight.
The measure faces significant obstacles in the Senate, where Democrats have consistently blocked Republican immigration funding proposals for the past six weeks. With both chambers scheduled to leave Washington for Easter recess, the shutdown is on track to become the longest in U.S. history.
“In those eight weeks, we will figure this out with Democrats and figure out a couple of reforms or whatever they need to make sure that we do this right, but we are going to protect the homeland. We have to,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) during an appearance on Fox News. “It’s the most important and most basic function of Congress, and Democrats don’t want to do that.”
Only three Democrats crossed party lines to support the measure: Reps. Don Davis (N.C.), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.), and Henry Cuellar (Texas). More than a dozen lawmakers were absent for the vote.
The vote came after House GOP leadership and the conservative House Freedom Caucus firmly rejected a Senate-passed compromise earlier in the day. That agreement, which passed the Senate unanimously, would have funded most DHS sub-agencies while excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and parts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The National Border Patrol Council endorsed the House bill, stating that the Senate’s failure to fund all DHS components was “completely unacceptable.”
Democrats have been steadfast in their opposition to funding bills that support the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies without reform. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) accused Republicans of creating chaos for American families “so they can continue to spend billions of dollars for ICE to brutalize and kill American citizens.”
Former President Donald Trump also weighed in, telling Fox News: “It wasn’t good. It wasn’t appropriate. You can’t have a bill that’s not going to fund ICE.”
The partial shutdown, which began on February 14, has disrupted air travel nationwide and left tens of thousands of federal employees without pay. The most visible impact has been at airports, where Transportation Security Administration staffing shortages created hours-long security checkpoint delays and widespread travel disruptions.
Some relief is expected soon for TSA workers, as Trump directed DHS through an executive order to pay the more than 50,000 TSA personnel who had been working without compensation. These agents are expected to receive their first full paychecks in more than six weeks on Monday.
Senate Republicans have suggested a potential second “big, beautiful” bill to provide additional funding to ICE and Border Patrol, though passing such legislation during an election year with narrow congressional majorities presents significant challenges.
House Speaker Johnson expressed skepticism about this approach. “That’s a very difficult task. It is a high-risk gamble for us to assume that we could do that,” he said. “And in the meantime, people are still going unpaid in this. We’ve got to make sure that we take care of those who take care of ourselves.”
As the shutdown extends into its 43rd day, the political standoff over immigration enforcement funding shows no signs of resolution, leaving affected federal employees and the agencies they serve in continued uncertainty.
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10 Comments
The government shutdown is concerning, but I appreciate the Republicans’ efforts to at least pass a short-term DHS funding bill. Hopefully this can serve as a starting point for further negotiations with Democrats to end the stalemate.
This is a complex issue with valid concerns on both sides. I hope the lawmakers can set aside partisan differences and work together to reach an agreement that secures our nation’s homeland security while also addressing the broader policy debates.
I’m curious to see how this plays out. A prolonged DHS funding impasse could have serious implications for national security. I hope the lawmakers can put politics aside and find a solution that works for all Americans.
The extended government shutdown is concerning, especially when it comes to critical agencies like DHS. I hope the House and Senate can work together to pass a funding bill that addresses the root issues and secures bipartisan support.
While I understand the political motivations, I’m worried that a historic government shutdown could undermine public trust in democratic institutions. Both parties need to act responsibly and find a compromise to fund DHS and reopen the government.
A prolonged DHS funding lapse is concerning, especially given the volatile global security environment. I encourage our representatives to put the country’s interests first and find a bipartisan solution to this impasse.
The government shutdown is highly troubling, and I’m disappointed to see the partisan gridlock continue. Homeland security should be a top priority for all lawmakers, regardless of party affiliation. I hope they can come together and resolve this issue soon.
While I understand the political tensions, I’m disappointed to see the partisan divide deepening on an issue as important as homeland security funding. The American people deserve a functioning government that can effectively address national security concerns.
This is a tough situation for both parties. I hope they can find a compromise to fund DHS and end the shutdown soon, before it becomes the longest in history. It’s critical that homeland security is properly funded and operational.
This situation highlights the need for greater bipartisanship in Congress. Homeland security shouldn’t be a partisan issue – both parties should be willing to compromise to ensure the continuity of essential government functions.