WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced Wednesday what they are calling a path forward to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security and ending a record partial government shutdown.
They stated in a joint statement that in the coming days, Republicans in the House and Senate are expected to follow through on President Donald Trump's directive to fully fund the department, utilizing two parallel tracks: one by following the regular appropriations process and the other through a reconciliation bill likely needing to be passed solely by Republicans later this year.
The process is fraught with uncertainties as both avenues face potential opposition from Democrats and possibly from within the GOP itself.
We appreciate and share the President’s determination to once and for all bring an end to the Democrat DHS shutdown, remarked Johnson, R-La., and Thune, R-S.D.
The two chambers were at an impasse last week when the Senate passed a bill that excluded funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border Patrol, sidelining many Democratic demands regarding new limits on those agencies.
Despite the House's passage of a bill to fund DHS for 60 days, the shutdown continued as lawmakers left for their two-week recess back to their home states. Cooperation from Senate Democrats will be necessary for any part of the plan to succeed, yet it is currently unclear whether they will collaborate.
The announcement drew attention as Thune and Johnson aimed to present a united front, following a rift in their working relationship last week when Johnson dismissed Thune’s initial plans.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump’s comments directed at the situation signaled his desire for rapid action. He urged Republicans via social media to fund the immigration-related components of DHS through legislation that would not require Democratic endorsement, aiming to have it on his desk by June 1.
Trump 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.\
They stated in a joint statement that in the coming days, Republicans in the House and Senate are expected to follow through on President Donald Trump's directive to fully fund the department, utilizing two parallel tracks: one by following the regular appropriations process and the other through a reconciliation bill likely needing to be passed solely by Republicans later this year.
The process is fraught with uncertainties as both avenues face potential opposition from Democrats and possibly from within the GOP itself.
We appreciate and share the President’s determination to once and for all bring an end to the Democrat DHS shutdown, remarked Johnson, R-La., and Thune, R-S.D.
The two chambers were at an impasse last week when the Senate passed a bill that excluded funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border Patrol, sidelining many Democratic demands regarding new limits on those agencies.
Despite the House's passage of a bill to fund DHS for 60 days, the shutdown continued as lawmakers left for their two-week recess back to their home states. Cooperation from Senate Democrats will be necessary for any part of the plan to succeed, yet it is currently unclear whether they will collaborate.
The announcement drew attention as Thune and Johnson aimed to present a united front, following a rift in their working relationship last week when Johnson dismissed Thune’s initial plans.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump’s comments directed at the situation signaled his desire for rapid action. He urged Republicans via social media to fund the immigration-related components of DHS through legislation that would not require Democratic endorsement, aiming to have it on his desk by June 1.
Trump 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.\
