House passes measure to fund DHS as senators struggle to reach deal

The House on Thursday passed a GOP-backed bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for a third time, as lawmakers struggle to find a deal to end the 40-day partial government shutdown. 

The lower chamber approved the bill in a 218-206 vote, with four Democrats crossing the aisle to support the measure. The same lawmakers backed a similar bill in March: Reps. Henry Cuellar (Texas), Don Davis (N.C.), Jared Golden (Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.).

Democrats have remained steadfast in their calls for reforms to immigration enforcement practices following the killings of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota by federal agents. The White House and Democrats have exchanged counterproposals for weeks, but remain at an impasse over a final deal.

Earlier this week, Senate Republicans floated a proposal to immediately fund key Department of Homeland Security agencies through regular order, while routing funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removal operations through a reconciliation package.

However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) rejected the proposal and instead put forward a counteroffer, prompting Republicans to respond with one of their own — and accuse Democrats of moving the goalposts.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters on Thursday that Democrats “are now in possession of what I think is our last and final offer,” without going into the specifics of what was included in the proposal.

“Let’s hope this gets it done,” he said.

Lawmakers in both parties are feeling increased pressure to find a resolution as travelers around the country are being forced to wait for hours in airport security lines as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers go without pay and increasingly call out.

Senate Democrats have repeatedly blocked House-passed measures to fund DHS, with only centrist Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) joining Republicans in advancing the legislation. The Senate is set to vote on another House-passed DHS funding measure on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), co-chairs of the Problem Solvers Caucus, announced on Wednesday that they were working on bipartisan legislation “to immediately re-open” DHS “while advancing commonsense reforms” to ICE. 

They noted that the legislation “would require that all federal law enforcement agencies, including ICE, are held to the same high standards and policies as it pertains to training requirements, the use of body cameras, independent investigation of use-of-force at scenes, clear outer identification of the agency engaged in the enforcement action, cooperation with local law enforcement, and a prohibition of masks during enforcement actions coupled with tougher penalties for doxxing.”

It is unclear how much support the bill will get in the House.

Lawmakers are set to leave for a two-week recess beginning March 30, which means they only have a short window to get a DHS deal across the finish line. If they leave without a deal this week, the shutdown will surpass the record for the longest one in U.S. history, which lasted for 43 days last year, unless the Senate approves regular funding.

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House passes measure to fund DHS as senators struggle to reach deal

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