House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced Thursday that he will not hold a vote on a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill until the Senate makes significant progress on funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The decision comes amid growing frustration among House Republicans with leadership's funding strategy.
Johnson emphasized that Senate progress on a narrow reconciliation package funding ICE and CBP is critical to unlocking GOP support in the House. He suggested that such progress could occur within two weeks. The delay prolongs what has already been the longest shutdown in DHS history.
Republican Frustration Boils Over
During a lengthy House GOP conference call, members expressed deep distrust in the Senate following last week's split over DHS funding. Concerns centered on the possibility that the Senate could backtrack on ICE and CBP funding if the House moves first. Several members also pushed to remove language from the Senate bill that effectively defunds ICE and CBP, a move Johnson reportedly signaled openness to.
Members worry that if the House moves first on passing a DHS funding bill without ICE and CBP, the Senate could backtrack on funding those two agencies.
Johnson's decision reflects broader Republican resistance to funding DHS without explicit allocations for ICE and CBP. A potential fallback option, suggested by Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), involves pairing a short-term funding extension with ICE reforms already endorsed by Border Czar Tom Homan.
Path Forward
Johnson's strategy hinges on Senate action on a narrow reconciliation bill focused on ICE and CBP. He also floated the possibility of a broader reconciliation package, which could include cuts to safety net programs and health care changes. The bipartisan standoff underscores the ongoing tensions over immigration policy enforcement and funding priorities.