Congressional Agreement to End DHS Shutdown

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been partially shut down for a record 47 days, prompting Congressional leaders to announce a new agreement aimed at reopening the department. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) revealed a plan to fund most of DHS through September 30, while separately addressing funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) via a party-line budget reconciliation bill.

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The proposed agreement allows for the immediate funding of DHS, excluding ICE and CBP, which will be funded through a reconciliation process that does not require Democratic support. This two-track approach aims to ensure that federal workers are paid and that immigration enforcement activities continue without interruption. The plan follows a previous rejection of a similar proposal by House Republicans, who had instead passed a short-term funding bill that faced significant opposition in the Senate.

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President Donald Trump has expressed his support for the new agreement, emphasizing the need for a bill on his desk by June 1. However, he previously criticized any deal that did not align with his broader agenda, including the Save America Act aimed at overhauling federal elections. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) criticized the Republican leadership for their internal divisions, stating that American families have suffered due to the dysfunction.

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Democrats have welcomed the funding agreement but have raised concerns about the lack of reforms tied to ICE funding. They have demanded new restrictions on immigration enforcement, particularly following incidents involving ICE agents that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens. These demands include barring ICE officers from wearing masks and requiring judicial warrants for home entries.

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Despite the bipartisan nature of the agreement, hard-line conservatives within the Republican Party have expressed their discontent. Representative Scott Perry (R-Pa.), a member of the House Freedom Caucus, stated that any deal that does not fully fund ICE and CBP amounts to defunding law enforcement and jeopardizing border security. This internal dissent could complicate the swift passage of the funding measures.

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While the shutdown has caused significant disruptions, including long wait times at airports due to unpaid Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers, ICE has been minimally affected due to prior funding allocations. The Senate had previously passed a bill to fund DHS, but the ongoing negotiations and political maneuvering have delayed a comprehensive resolution.

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As Congress enters a two-week recess, the timeline for finalizing the funding agreement remains uncertain. The Senate and House may attempt to expedite the process using unanimous consent, but any objections could lead to further delays. The outcome of these negotiations will be critical in determining the future of immigration enforcement funding and the operational capacity of DHS.

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• “In the coming days, Republicans in the Senate and House will be following through on the president’s directive by fully funding the entire Department of Homeland Security on two parallel tracks: through the appropriations process and through the reconciliation process,” — John Thune, Senate Majority Leader

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• “If that's the vote, I'm a NO.” — Scott Perry, Representative (R-Pa.)

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• “We are going to work as fast, and as focused, as possible to replenish funding for our Border and ICE Agents, and the Radical Left Democrats won't be able to stop us,” — Donald Trump, President

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