House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that the House will introduce a new bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security because the funding issue remains unresolved. Since February 14, DHS has been partially shut down because Democrats won’t support a bill that would give money to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.
Senate Republicans have agreed to fund the agency through reconciliation, but Johnson told reporters that the Senate’s measure had “problematic language” that would “orphan” immigration enforcement.
“We have to make sure that immigration law is enforced, and the border is safe and secure,” Johnson said.
The Senate legislation “has some problematic language because it was haphazardly drafted,” Johnson said, adding, “We have a modified version that I think is going to be much better for both chambers.”
The Senate would have to vote on any bill the House passed, and Democrats would still oppose it.
After shooting broke out at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday, several Republicans have called for getting rid of the 60-vote filibuster to secure money for the Department of Homeland Security.
“At a moment of national danger, if Democrats refuse to fund DHS, I will say this would be the time to nuke the filibuster for good,” Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said in a TV interview Sunday.
“We need to hold a vote right away. Let’s find areas of agreement and make this country safer,” the senator added. “So many of the Senate Democrats ran as moderates. Now, are they really?”
Markwayne Mullin, the Secretary of Homeland Security, has said that the extra money needed to pay DHS workers will run out by the end of April.
On Monday, President Donald Trump remarked on Truth Social that he wants the Senate to pass the reconciliation package that will give money to ICE and CBP.
“The Radical Left Democrats have kept DHS shut down since February 14th,” Trump wrote. “Our Great Speaker, Mike Johnson, is working hard to end the Democrat Shut Down, and pass the first step of a plan to get FULL FUNDING for our incredible ICE and Border Patrol Agents.”
“We need all Republicans to join together and support this Budget Blueprint, which will allow us to bypass Democrat obstruction in the Senate, and fund Immigration Enforcement with only Republican Votes,” Trump wrote.
“The Senate passed this Blueprint last week on Thursday morning, and now, House Republicans must UNIFY, and pass the same Blueprint to get the Bill done,” Trump continued. “I’ve asked for the final Bill on my desk by June 1st, and we can make that deadline if we keep to the plan, FAST and FOCUSED. Let’s take care of our Great Agents of Law Enforcement.”