House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced a plan to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security and end the ongoing partial government shutdown. The strategy involves two tracks: the regular appropriations process and a reconciliation bill Republicans aim to pass independently.
The agreement comes after weeks of impasse, with the Senate passing a bill excluding funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border Patrol, while House Republicans proposed fully funding DHS for 60 days. Lawmakers had left for a two-week recess with the shutdown continuing.
The initial plan would fund DHS, excluding immigration enforcement, through September. Republicans then intend to pursue a three-year funding solution for the entire agency using a process requiring only Republican votes. Former President Trump urged Republicans to fund border and ICE agents, requesting legislation on his desk by June 1.
The success of this plan hinges on cooperation from Senate Democrats, which remains uncertain. The announcement signals a renewed alignment between Johnson and Thune after a recent disagreement over the path forward.