Senate Rejects DHS Funding

(SeaPRwire) –   On Friday, House Republicans turned down a Senate-approved funding package intended to cover most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), opting instead to introduce an eight-week stopgap measure to fund the entire department.

“This maneuver from last night is a joke. I am convinced that not every Senate Republican actually read the bill’s language,” Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters on Friday. “We are not going along with it.”

Johnson stated his intention to bring the short-term funding bill to a vote “as soon as possible.”

The House’s rejection of the Senate’s proposal prolongs the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history. This impasse has left the DHS without funding for nearly six weeks, resulting in unpaid leave for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff and causing significant delays at airport security checkpoints nationwide.

The Senate had acted early Friday to fund the majority of the DHS, specifically omitting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and certain segments of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This exclusion stemmed from Democratic demands for stricter oversight of these agencies due to their involvement in President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement initiatives.

Upon reaching the House, the legislation faced opposition because it failed to provide funding for ICE and CBP.

However, the House’s eight-week stopgap proposal, which includes provisions for back-pay for federal employees, is unlikely to clear the Senate, as it would require Democratic support to meet the 60-vote threshold.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York declared on Friday that the measure would be “dead on arrival” in the Senate.

“We have been clear from the start: Democrats will fund essential Homeland Security operations, but we will not provide a blank check to Trump’s lawless and deadly immigration militia without reforms,” Schumer stated on X.

While Trump has not publicly confirmed his stance on the Senate’s deal, he announced on Thursday—prior to the Senate’s vote—that he would issue an executive order instructing the newly appointed Homeland Security Secretary, Markwayne Mullin, to “immediately” provide pay to TSA agents.

“It is not an easy thing to do, but I am going to do it!” Trump remarked.

Numerous House Republicans voiced criticism of the Senate’s funding package.

Rep. Keith Self of Texas accused Senate Republicans of yielding too much ground to Democrats.

“In the middle of the night, with only five senators on the floor and no one to object, the Senate rushed through a DHS funding bill that intentionally left ICE and CBP without funding,” Self wrote on social media. “Now, they are leaving town. No SAVE America Act. ICE and CBP remain unfunded.”

Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina characterized the action as a surrender. “The Senate unanimously decided to cave to Democrat demands to withhold funding for ICE or CBP,” she said. “This capitulation by Senate Republicans was passed in the dead of night, and then the entire Senate decided to go on a two-and-a-half-week break.”

Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland, chair of the House Freedom Caucus, held a press conference to announce opposition to the DHS funding bill unless it incorporates additional measures, such as the SAVE America Act.

“The only thing we will support is adding that funding to the bill, including voter ID requirements, and sending it back to the Senate to force them to return and finish their work,” he stated. “Ultimately, this is not the right deal. It is bad for America and bad for Americans.”

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would mandate that Americans provide proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote in federal elections, has become a primary demand for House Republicans. Trump has previously indicated he would not sign new legislation unless this measure is included.

Other Republicans shared this sentiment. Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri argued that the bill “should not pass without basic measures,” including funding for Homeland Security Investigations and voter ID requirements.

Meanwhile, Democrats have rallied behind the Senate agreement, contending that it safeguards vital agencies while preventing the expansion of funding for immigration enforcement.

“This is a victory,” Rep. Maxine Dexter of Oregon wrote. “Democrats have successfully blocked any new funding for ICE and CBP while funding the remainder of the Department of Homeland Security, including the TSA. We will not back down now. We are fighting to end child detention, hold ICE accountable, and ensure due process for everyone.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called on Republicans to advance the legislation.

“The only obstacle to ending this chaos is the House Republicans,” he said. “There is a bipartisan bill that came out of the Senate with broad support.”