Former President Donald Trump has indicated the United States will adopt a particularly strong approach towards Iran in the near future. He stated the U.S. will be “extremely hard” on Iran in the coming weeks, though he did not elaborate on specific actions.

DHS Funding Dispute in Congress

Simultaneously, a funding dispute regarding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to unfold in Congress. Senate Republicans are considering another attempt to pass a full-year funding bill for DHS, excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Senate Action During Recess

This potential move comes after the House of Representatives amended a previously passed Senate bill, replacing it with a short-term spending measure. To move forward, the Senate must re-pass the original full-year funding bill. Senators are planning to address this during a pro forma session while currently on a two-week recess.

House Response Uncertain

The House is also holding a pro forma session today, but it remains unclear whether its leadership will act on any measure passed by the Senate. The situation highlights ongoing disagreements over DHS funding priorities.

Republican Plan for ICE and CBP Funding

Senator John Hoeven, R-N.D., revealed that the Senate Budget Committee is preparing a bill to extend ICE and CBP funding for three years. This would utilize the budget reconciliation process, allowing Republicans to bypass a potential Democratic filibuster and pass the measure with a simple majority.

Hoeven stated the goal is to remove ICE and CBP funding from future negotiations with Democrats, eliminating the need to trade funding for immigration enforcement reforms. This strategy aims to secure long-term funding for these agencies throughout the remainder of Trump’s term.