Jeffries presses Johnson to pass Senate DHS bill; open to helping GOP with rule

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) threw his weight behind the Senate-passed bill to reopen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), declaring it a victory for Democrats because it funds airport screeners but not immigration enforcement operations.

After huddling with other House Democrats in the Capitol basement, Jeffries urged Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to bring the bill to the floor “immediately.” 

“There’s legislation in front of us right now to end the airport chaos, and House Republicans should stop blocking it,” Jeffries told reporters. 

Jeffries also left open the possibility that Democrats could help GOP leaders pass a rule that, under typical circumstances, is required to bring legislation to the floor. 

Johnson is facing a revolt from conservative members of his conference, who are furious that the Senate bill withholds funding for certain parts of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). They’re threatening to block the rule unless those funds are returned to the bill. 

“The rule is not going to pass today that moves the Senate bill as is,” said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a member of the House Rules Committee.

Asked if Democrats would take the rare step of crossing the aisle to support the........

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