The House approved legislation Thursday to fund the bulk of the Department of Homeland Security, excluding Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a decisive step toward resolving the longest DHS shutdown in history. The bill, passed by voice vote after a brief debate, now heads to President Trump for signature.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) had delayed the measure for weeks but faced mounting pressure from the White House, Senate Republicans, and his own conference as DHS payroll funds ran dry. The Senate passed the bill last month, and the House's action effectively ends the 75-day impasse triggered by Democratic demands for immigration enforcement reforms.
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) initially tried to pass the bill by unanimous consent, but House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris (R-Md.) objected, citing concerns over the lack of border security funding. The House then considered the bill under suspension of the rules, and after a short debate, approved it by voice vote.
The bipartisan Senate DHS bill funds critical agencies including the Transportation Security Administration, FEMA, the Coast Guard, and the Secret Service. However, ICE and Border Patrol remain unfunded. Republicans plan to fund those agencies through a separate reconciliation process that bypasses the Senate filibuster.
House leaders did not include a technical correction sought by Johnson and hardline Republicans to clarify a provision allocating $0 for border security and immigration enforcement. Such a change would have required the bill to return to the Senate, delaying its passage.
The move comes as the House advanced a procedural step Wednesday for a “skinny” reconciliation bill aimed at funding ICE and Border Patrol. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) had urged the House to pass the Senate DHS bill first, and Thursday’s vote clears the way for that second phase.
The shutdown, which stretched 75 days, was the longest ever for DHS and highlighted deep partisan divisions over immigration policy. The partial funding bill represents a temporary truce, but the battle over border security funding is far from over.
In related developments, the Trump administration continues to push for stricter enforcement measures, while Democrats have signaled they will not support additional funding without reforms. The upcoming reconciliation process will test GOP unity as they seek to fund ICE and Border Patrol without Democratic support.
