GOP Leaders Unite on DHS Funding, Avoiding Shutdown

0:00It's April 1st, this is Vancouver News today, local news powered by AI, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune just dropped the joint plan to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security and Dodge a full-blown shutdown crisis. They're backing a Senate deal with Democrats to cover everything except immigration and customs enforcement and border patrol. Those key agencies would get Republican-only funding down the line with President Trump giving it the green light. This comes after a big rift between the two leaders last week that let the partial shutdown drag into its 47th day. House Republicans had pushed back on the bipartisan idea, opting for a short 60-day patch that went nowhere so Congress bounced for a two-week break without a deal. Democrats are firing back with Senate leader Chuck Schumer calling it Republican dysfunction hurting families. On the flip side, hard-line GOP folks, like Rep Scott Perry, say skipping ICE and border patrol, funds the border wide open.

1:01Workers are showing up unpaid, sparking longer lines at airports as TSA agents call out. The Senate might fast-track the main funding bill as early as Thursday morning to quick consent, but the House Pathlets bumpy with recess until mid-April. Republicans aim to lock in ICE and border patrol cash through Trump's term later this year, no dem votes needed. Democrats pushing for that immigration bill by June 1st, vowing the left cam block it. For now, this unity move buys time, but skeptical conservatives could still throw wrenches, keep eyes on how it plays out.