House GOP Faces Week-Long Legislative Crunch Over DHS Funding, Spy Law and Farm Bill

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been shut down since February 14, marking the longest shutdown in its history. With the agency’s $10 billion rainy-day fund nearly exhausted, federal workers—including Secret Service agents who responded to the recent White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting—face the loss of their final paycheck. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune must secure a funding package this week, but intra-party disputes over immigration enforcement and other priorities have stalled progress.

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The shutdown began after Congress failed to approve a budget that includes immigration enforcement funding. A “rainy-day” reserve has kept a limited number of employees paid, but the reserve will run out after one more disbursement. The shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner intensified pressure on lawmakers to restore full DHS operations, as the Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are DHS components.

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• Mike Johnson – Speaker of the House, leading the GOP effort.

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• John Thune – Senate Majority Leader, co-author of the Senate-passed budget.

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• Markwayne Mullin – Secretary of Homeland Security, warning of imminent funding shortfalls.

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• Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) – Rank-and-file Republican critic of leadership’s strategy.

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• Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) – Advocate for full DHS funding.

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• Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) – Pushes for a secure White House ballroom.

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• Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) – Democratic voice on procedural options.

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• Feb 14, 2026 – DHS shutdown begins.

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• ~10 weeks – GOP stalemate over funding persists.

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• April 26, 2026 – Shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

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• April 28, 2026 – Scheduled vote on Section 702 reauthorization (FISA).

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• April 30, 2026 – Anticipated DHS funding vote (Wednesday).

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• May 1, 2026 – Farm bill vote slated for Thursday.

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• 72 days of DHS shutdown.

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• $10 billion rainy-day fund, projected to cover only one additional paycheck.

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• 10 weeks of GOP negotiations on the funding measure.

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• 20-30 Republicans identified as key blockers on the funding and FISA bills.

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Without DHS funding, critical security functions—airport screening, Coast Guard operations, and cybersecurity oversight—risk degradation. The shutdown also threatens the livelihoods of thousands of federal employees and carries political repercussions for the GOP ahead of the 2026 midterms.

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Speaker Johnson emphasized urgency, stating the department “is out of money” and urging immediate action. Secretary Mullin has repeatedly warned that agency payrolls will cease once the rainy-day fund is depleted. Democratic Rep. Jim Himes suggested that procedural cooperation with Democrats could overcome the House’s procedural hurdle. Several GOP leaders have signaled willingness to consider a “suspension vote” to expedite passage.

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Conservative hardliners argue the leadership’s partial-funding plan, which excludes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), betrays Republican priorities. Rep. Don Bacon condemned the “pretzel twister game” of negotiations, while Rep. Chip Roy and other rank-and-file members demand a secure White House ballroom as part of any package. Some Freedom Caucus members are also linking the DHS vote to broader demands, including a ban on a central-bank digital currency.

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An anonymous DHS staffer warned that agencies such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Coast Guard are “running out of options” as payroll funds dwindle, raising concerns about staff retention and operational readiness.

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Sources differ on the exact number of paychecks remaining: one indicates a single paycheck left from the rainy-day fund, while another suggests “one more” before depletion without specifying timing. Additionally, while the Senate has passed a budget covering immigration enforcement, the House has not yet acted, creating uncertainty about the final composition of the funding bill.

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• “We have to move DHS funding because it’s urgent. As the secretary of Homeland Security has said. We are out of money. He is out of money at the end of this week. Democrats have been playing games with this. It’s very dangerous as demonstrated Saturday night. We got to get the job done,” — Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House

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• “Let’s stop doing the pretzel twister game with Republicans who never want to get to yes anyway,” — Rep. Don Bacon, Nebraska

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• “I think Congress should pass DHS funding — it needs to be everything,” — Rep. Marlin Stutzman, Indiana

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• “You have agencies that are not TSA and not getting paid like (the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency). And the Coast Guard is running out of options,” — Anonymous DHS staff member

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• “We’ve got a nightmare week,” — GOP leadership aide

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House leaders plan to bring the DHS funding measure to the floor on Wednesday, potentially using a suspension vote if Republican consensus cannot be reached. Simultaneously, the Section 702 reauthorization and farm bill are slated for votes later in the week. If GOP negotiations stall, Speaker Johnson may seek a bipartisan coalition with Democrats to avert a total shutdown of DHS operations before the April 30 deadline.

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