Story perspectives

House Speaker Johnson's Reversal Stalls DHS Funding Progress

4/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) unexpectedly backed the Senate's DHS funding bill, excluding ICE and Border Patrol, after dismissing it.
The reversal has caused confusion among House Republicans who worry about Johnson's change in stance.
Pro forma sessions in both chambers have produced no progress, prolonging the DHS shutdown.
Senate brief sessions, often under a minute, have not yielded meaningful action.

History

Historical Context

The 2013 U.S. government shutdown stemmed from a budget impasse over funding the Affordable Care Act, leading to a 16-day closure affecting various agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security. Speaker John Boehner struggled to unify House Republicans around funding measures. Today, Speaker Mike Johnson's support for a DHS funding bill, excluding ICE and Border Patrol, reflects ongoing challenges in achieving consensus on immigration and security funding.

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Story summary

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) unexpectedly backed the Senate's DHS funding bill, excluding ICE and Border Patrol, after dismissing it.
The reversal has caused confusion among House Republicans who worry about Johnson's change in stance.
Pro forma sessions in both chambers have produced no progress, prolonging the DHS shutdown.
Senate brief sessions, often under a minute, have not yielded meaningful action.

1 / 2