After Trump's intervention, the Republican leadership in Congress decided to swiftly push for ending the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown and adjust their previously hardline stance on immigration enforcement funding. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson issued a joint statement saying that Republicans would fund the DHS along two parallel tracks as demanded by Trump. On one hand, they would maintain the operation of the entire department through regular appropriations procedures; on the other hand, they would use the budget reconciliation process to separately allocate additional enforcement funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol. Trump has set a new deadline of June 1, requiring Republicans to ensure immigration enforcement funding along party lines—effectively providing a political exit from the weeks-long deadlock over enforcement funding, which has already extended the shutdown to record lengths. This shift also signals a clear concession by House Republicans toward the Senate’s proposal. Last week, Johnson and House Republicans had rejected the bipartisan Senate agreement, arguing the bill failed to include specific funding for border security and immigration enforcement agencies—Johnson even criticized the bill for writing "zero" in relevant sections. Now, following Trump’s public endorsement of Thune’s approach, House Republicans have shifted to accepting a framework of “first preserve the overall government, then supplement enforcement funding.” According to procedure, the Senate could attempt to advance the relevant bill again as early as Thursday, though whether it will pass remains highly uncertain.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861332108507273/
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