GOP Leaders Propose Plan to End DHS Shutdown

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune unveiled a plan on Wednesday to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), seeking to resolve a record-setting partial government shutdown. The announcement follows a disagreement between the two leaders that led to Congress adjourning last week without a resolution.

Two-Track Approach to Funding

The Republican plan involves a two-pronged approach. The first track will revisit the Senate’s initial proposal to fund most of DHS, excluding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol. The second track will focus on securing funding for ICE and Border Patrol through separate, party-line legislation at a later date.

Trump's Support and Potential Obstacles

The strategy is not guaranteed to succeed and may face opposition from within the Republican party. However, it has received support from President Donald Trump. “We appreciate and share the President’s determination to once and for all bring an end to the Democrat DHS shutdown,” Johnson and Thune stated in a joint release.

Senate Action and House Delays

The Senate could potentially approve the initial funding legislation as early as Thursday. However, the timeline for its passage through the House remains uncertain. Republicans anticipate it will take several months to address the second phase of the plan, funding ICE and Border Patrol.

Previous Impasse and Recess

Last week, House Republicans blocked the Senate’s bipartisan agreement, proposing a 60-day funding extension for the entire DHS. This led to the continuation of the shutdown and lawmakers departing for a two-week recess. As of Wednesday, the DHS shutdown had reached its 47th day.

Reactions to the New Plan

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer attributed the GOP’s shift in strategy to Democratic unity, stating, ‘for days, Republican divisions derailed a bipartisan agreement, making American families pay the price for their dysfunction.’

Concerns from Conservative Republicans

Some conservative Republicans have expressed concerns about the plan. Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., posted 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.” He indicated he would vote against the measure.

Trump's Call for Action

Earlier on Wednesday, President Trump urged Republicans to pass legislation funding ICE and Border Patrol without Democratic support, requesting it be on his desk by June 1. “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,” Trump said.

Impact on DHS Workers and Travelers

While the majority of DHS employees continue to work, many have been working without pay. This has led to increased call-outs among Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents, causing longer security lines at airports. These bottlenecks have begun to ease as agents receive backpay following an executive order from Trump.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries called for full funding of DHS, excluding what he termed Trump’s “violent mass deportation machine.”