House Republicans on Friday rejected a Senate-passed funding bill aimed at reopening most of the Department of Homeland Security, extending a shutdown that has now stretched beyond six weeks.
Speaker Mike Johnson said the House would move quickly to pass a short-term measure funding DHS for 60 days, arguing the Senate proposal was unacceptable because it excluded funding for immigration enforcement agencies like ICE and Border Patrol.
Johnson sharply criticized both Democrats and the Senate process, accusing lawmakers of rushing through a deal and leaving town without resolving the broader funding fight. He said the House would not accept a plan that left key parts of the agency unfunded.
Several House Republicans echoed that frustration. Rep. Chip Roy called the Senate compromise “offensive,” particularly to Border Patrol personnel who have missed paychecks during the shutdown. Others criticized the Senate for departing for its holiday recess before a final agreement was reached.
The Senate bill would have funded most DHS operations, including TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard, but left out immigration enforcement. Republicans note that ICE and Border Patrol already received significant funding through earlier legislation, though many still want additional resources approved.
President Trump is backing the House approach and is moving to address the most immediate pressure point: airport chaos. He is preparing an executive order to ensure TSA agents are paid, using emergency authority to stabilize operations as staffing shortages worsen.
The shutdown has taken a visible toll on air travel. Hundreds of TSA officers have quit, and absentee rates have surged at major airports, leading to record-long security lines. Some workers have reported severe financial strain after weeks without pay.
Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, defended the Senate deal as a success, saying it prevents additional funding from going to ICE and Border Patrol without reforms. They have pushed for changes to immigration enforcement policies as part of any broader agreement.
Meanwhile, passengers continue to deal with delays, with wait times stretching into hours at some of the nation’s busiest airports. Officials have warned that smaller airports could face disruptions if the standoff continues.
With both chambers at odds and the Senate out of session, the path forward remains uncertain, leaving DHS operations partially funded and the broader political fight unresolved.
The post House GOP Blocks Senate DHS Deal As Shutdown Drags On appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
