The House is on the verge of resolving a prolonged Homeland Security shutdown, yet tensions simmer within Republican ranks. Recently, House Republicans expressed their discontent over what they term a “s— sandwich” deal between the Senate and House leadership. The chaos began after the Senate advanced a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday, despite a previous revolt by House GOP members.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing backlash from within his own party. Following a request from President Donald Trump, Johnson shifted his support to a compromise led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune. This approach seeks to pass the Senate’s partial DHS bill while promising future funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through a separate reconciliation package.
The frustration among House Republicans is palpable, particularly regarding how the Senate has handled the DHS negotiations. According to a senior GOP aide, frustrations escalated as House members expressed disapproval during a private call, with some strongly criticizing Johnson’s leadership. “People are mad at Johnson,” one source conveyed, portraying the mood within the ranks.
Despite this dissatisfaction, the DHS funding bill will likely secure bipartisan backing. However, House Republicans seem uninterested in rushing back to Washington, D.C., to conclude the 48-day shutdown. Their next scheduled return isn’t until April 14, allowing tensions to simmer further. Leadership does not expect to call members back early for a vote.
Discontent within the party runs deep, evidenced by remarks from various lawmakers. “Does feel like whiplash,” one source remarked, reflecting the confusion over evolving strategies. Some members have voiced adamant opposition, asserting they won’t support any measure that undercuts funding for law enforcement without definitive action from the Senate. A source indicated that “Thune should call the Senate back today,” highlighting the urgency from some members for immediate resolution.
Many within the House GOP believe that funding President Trump’s immigration and border security initiatives must take precedence before even considering the Senate’s bill. This sentiment resonates across the conference, signaling a potential rift in strategy moving forward.
Questions linger about how Johnson will navigate this contentious landscape. If he opts to first advance the Senate bill, he must be cautious. Potential opposition from conservative factions could complicate his ability to bring the legislation to the House floor. Should he lack the full support of his party, he might have to take the risky route of suspending House rules to pass the Senate bill—this method requires a two-thirds majority and could alienate conservative votes.
Interestingly, House lawmakers had the opportunity to use a streamlined legislative process to pass the DHS bill similar to the Senate’s action, yet they chose not to pursue it. Thune acknowledged the uncertainties, stating he was unsure when the House might act on the bill. “My assumption is, at some point, hopefully they’ll move it,” he said, indicating a hopeful yet unsure outlook.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has publicly criticized House Republicans for their inaction, asserting they now hold responsibility for this drawn-out government shutdown. He accused them of prolonging the shutdown and harming federal workers who continue to miss their paychecks. “The deep division and dysfunction among House Republicans is needlessly extending the DHS shutdown,” he stated, criticizing their resistance to funding law enforcement under current circumstances.
In response, Trump has signaled his readiness to intervene. He announced plans to issue an executive order aimed at ensuring DHS employees receive compensation during the shutdown. On Truth Social, Trump stated, “Because the Democrats are fully and 100% committed to the Radical Left Policy of Open Borders and Zero Immigration Enforcement… I will soon sign an order to pay ALL of the incredible employees at the Department of Homeland Security.” This declaration underscores Trump’s ongoing involvement and influence over Republican strategies as the standoff in Congress continues.
The ongoing turmoil within the Republican ranks portrays a party grappling with divisions over strategy and governance as they seek to navigate the complex landscape of funding crucial departments. As the days stretch on, the pressure mounts for House leadership to find a way forward, either by reconciling with Senate measures or facing the possibility of continued impasse.
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