Story perspectives

Republicans Unveil Controversial DHS Funding Strategy Amid Shutdown

4/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

Republicans in Congress announced a two-track strategy to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during a partial government shutdown (DHS).
Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader John Thune plan to pass a bill funding the DHS components and defer ICE and Border Patrol funding through a reconciliation bill.
The plan aims to reopen DHS operations and pay federal workers.
Democrats criticize the plan as prioritizing partisan interests over national security.

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Story summary

Republicans in Congress announced a two-track strategy to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during a partial government shutdown (DHS).
Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader John Thune plan to pass a bill funding the DHS components and defer ICE and Border Patrol funding through a reconciliation bill.
The plan aims to reopen DHS operations and pay federal workers.
Democrats criticize the plan as prioritizing partisan interests over national security.