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Senate Sends Partial DHS Reopening Bill to House Amid Shutdown

The Senate passed a bill to partially fund DHS, sending it to the House where it was previously rejected. President Trump announced an order to pay all DHS employees unilaterally. Republican leaders propose a two-step plan: partial reopening now, followed by a comprehensive immigration bill. However, House Republicans are divided and in recess, delaying action. The shutdown affects key federal workers, intensifying pressure on Congress to resolve the funding gap.

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Senate Sends Partial DHS Reopening Bill to House Amid Shutdown

The Senate unanimously approved a bill to partially fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), returning it to the House as the agency faces its longest shutdown ever, while President Trump announced he will order payment for all DHS employees.

Senate Action on Partial Funding

  • The bill, passed without opposition, provides funding to reopen parts of DHS but excludes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol.
  • It was sent back to the House, which last week rejected a similar measure and instead passed a plan for full DHS funding.

Trump's Directive and Political Rhetoric

  • President Trump stated on Truth Social that he will sign an order to pay all DHS employees, criticizing Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries.
  • He praised Republican leaders in Congress for their unity on a plan to restore funding for border agencies.
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House Dynamics and Two-Step Plan

  • House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced a two-step strategy: first, partially reopen DHS, then pursue a larger immigration and border security bill in the spring.
  • The House is currently on a two-week recess for Easter and Passover, with no immediate vote scheduled on the Senate bill.

Republican Reservations and Reconciliation Efforts

  • Many House Republicans are hesitant, demanding clear guarantees for immigration funding and wary of setting a precedent for partial agency funding.
  • Thune indicated the House will likely act "at some point" under the understanding that the Senate will later support a budget reconciliation bill.
  • A broader reconciliation bill faces challenges, including potential inclusion of non-budgetary items like voter ID laws, and Trump's demand for full DHS funding by June 1.

Pressure from Shutdown Impacts

  • Lawmakers face pressure to end the recess due to unpaid salaries for federal workers, including TSA agents, highlighted by media reports of legislators on vacation or official trips.
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