Former President Donald Trump has called on Republican lawmakers to utilize the budget reconciliation process to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol as a partial government shutdown continues.

Shutdown Reaches Record Length

The current shutdown, stemming from a disagreement over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has now lasted 47 days, making it the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history. The impasse began after lawmakers left Washington for a two-week Easter recess.

Trump's Strategy on Truth Social

On his Truth Social platform, Trump urged Republicans to bypass Democrats. He stated, “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.” Budget reconciliation would allow Republicans to pass funding with a simple majority in the Senate, avoiding a filibuster.

Legislative Efforts and Disagreements

On Thursday, the Senate unanimously approved a bill to temporarily reopen Homeland Security. However, the House instead approved a different bill to fund DHS through May 22. This disagreement has stalled progress towards a full resolution.

Two-Track Plan Proposed

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced a plan to end the shutdown. They stated that Republicans will pursue two parallel tracks: fully funding Homeland Security and launching a reconciliation effort specifically for ICE and Border Patrol. This aims to protect those agencies from future funding cuts.

Democratic Opposition and Concerns

Democrats have refused to support funding for ICE and Border Patrol without new restrictions on agency operations. These demands include requiring judicial warrants for entering private property, banning masks during operations, and increased oversight following controversial enforcement actions. Concerns were heightened after two U.S. citizens were killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this year.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Republicans of derailing bipartisan progress, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for funding DHS agencies that do not support “Donald Trump’s violent mass deportation machine.”

The Senate could vote as early as Thursday on a DHS funding bill excluding ICE and Border Patrol, while Republicans prepare the separate reconciliation package. Trump has called for a bill to be on his desk by June 1.