The shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now in its 48th day, with a resolution unlikely before next week. The House of Representatives is currently weighing a funding plan passed by the Senate.

Senate and House Approaches

The Senate plan would fund most of DHS, excluding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol. This approach represents a shift from previous stances, as Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., set aside the House plan to fund the entire department for 60 days. The House met briefly on Thursday, April 2, 2026, without taking action on the bipartisan Senate plan.

Leadership Alignment

Republican leadership and President Donald Trump have reportedly reached an agreement to pursue a two-step funding process. “I don’t know the particulars around what the House will do with it,” Thune told reporters. “My assumption is, at some point, hopefully, they’ll move it.” This alignment follows a period of apparent division between the two.

Future Funding Plans

House Republicans are expected to discuss next steps in a conference call. The current plan involves funding the remaining agencies – ICE and Border Patrol – through separate, party-line legislation. This process could take months to complete.

Potential Obstacles

Despite the progress, conservative lawmakers may push for full funding of all of Trump’s immigration enforcement operations. Representative Scott Perry, R-Pa., expressed opposition, stating on X, “Let’s make this simple: caving to Democrats and not paying CBP and ICE is agreeing to defund Law Enforcement and leaving our borders wide open again.”

Long-Term Strategy

President Trump has requested legislation to fund ICE and Border Patrol through the remainder of his term, aiming to protect these agencies from future Democratic opposition. He has requested this legislation be on his desk by June 1. Senator Thune emphasized the need for a focused approach to ensure swift passage, stating, “We need to kind of move with haste.”

While the majority of DHS employees continue to report for work, many have been working without pay. Increased wait times at airport security lines due to Transportation Security Administration agent call-outs have been reported, though these bottlenecks appeared to be easing as backpay was distributed.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Republican divisions, stating, “Republican divisions derailed a bipartisan agreement, making American families pay the price for their dysfunction.”