In a contentious 213-203 vote, House Republicans rejected a bipartisan Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding deal that had been passed by the Senate. Instead, they approved their own measure, extending the government shutdown to 42 days. With lawmakers now heading into a two-week recess, the path to resolving the standoff remains unclear. The Republican proposal would fund DHS for eight weeks, including money for border enforcement, which was absent from the Senate bill. This move effectively blocks the Senate’s plan and keeps the shutdown ongoing.
The Senate measure, supported by both parties, would fund most of the DHS operations but omits funding for immigration enforcement agencies. This omission became a point of contention, particularly for House Republicans and President Donald Trump, who were vocal about the need to include border security measures. Republicans insisted that the Senate should return from recess and take up the House bill, while Trump took executive action to ensure Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers continue to be paid during the shutdown.
The decision represents a growing divide between House and Senate Republicans. Speaker Mike Johnson and other House GOP leaders openly criticized the Senate’s negotiations, with Johnson calling the situation a “joke” and blaming Senate Democrats for shaping the bill. While Johnson acknowledged speaking with Senate Majority Leader John Thune before rejecting the bill, House Republicans, including Majority Whip Tom Emmer, expressed frustration with the Senate’s approach, believing it undermines their priorities.
House Democrats, on the other hand, backed the Senate’s version of the bill, arguing that it has the votes to pass immediately if brought forward. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries maintained that the bipartisan agreement remains the best option for resolving the impasse. As the shutdown continues to impact government operations, some Republicans, like Rep. Jeff Van Drew, urged their colleagues to act swiftly to reopen the department and restore normal government functions. The ongoing tension underscores the difficulties of finding a consensus amid a divided Congress.