Republicans are once again stepping in with a backup plan as Democrats reject the White House’s latest proposal on Department of Homeland Security funding, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown Friday night. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., signaled that the GOP is preparing a second short-term funding bill to keep DHS running while negotiations drag on — because apparently border security now requires endless meetings.
According to The Center Square, GOP leaders are drafting a four-week continuing resolution to prevent DHS from running out of money as talks remain stalled over immigration enforcement reforms.
The standoff follows the deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis last month, which Democrats have used to demand sweeping changes to DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. Those demands have become the main roadblock in negotiations between the White House and congressional Democrats.
Democratic leaders dismissed the administration’s proposal Tuesday as “incomplete and insufficient,” insisting on new limits on President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Their funding conditions include restricting where ICE agents can operate, requiring body cameras and visible identification, and forcing agents to obtain additional warrants before entering private property or detaining individuals.
Republicans have said they are willing to consider limited measures, such as body-worn cameras, but strongly oppose restrictions they say would cripple enforcement — including requirements for both federal and immigration court warrants.
Thune’s willingness to move a short-term stopgap stands in contrast to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who is urging the Senate to pass the House-approved, full-year DHS funding bill instead.
“We’ve not moved a CR here because our position is, the Senate should pass the House-passed homeland bill,” Johnson said Tuesday. “We got it done. We did the work in the House.”
Johnson warned that another temporary funding bill would send the wrong message on border security, calling it a sign of retreat.
“The problem is not DHS, the problem is local and state officials who are not helping the situation,” he added. “We need cooperation among law enforcement. It is common sense.”
He also cautioned that if DHS funding expires, core border enforcement would remain funded while other security agencies would suffer.
Republicans’ budget reconciliation package boosted DHS funding by $75 billion, while the standalone Homeland Security bill provides about $10 billion.
“So what they’re playing with is TSA, FEMA, the Secret Service, the Coast Guard,” Johnson said. “Those are the agencies charged with keeping Americans safe.”
While Democrats stall and demand restrictions, Republicans are focused on keeping DHS operational and protecting the agencies responsible for national security. With a short-term stopgap or a full-year bill, the GOP’s message remains clear: secure the border, support law enforcement, and keep America safe — because that’s what governing is actually supposed to look like.
