GOP Unites for DHS Funding, Democrats Criticize

0:00On April 2nd, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune just dropped a joint plan to tackle the Department of Homeland Security. Shut down, now in its 47-day. They're pushing a two-track strategy. First, fund most of the department right away using the Senate's original bill, skipping immigration and customs. Enforcement and Border Patrol. Second, handle those key agencies later with a straight-party line bill that skips Democrats. This comes after a big rift between the two leaders last week when House Republicans block the Senate deal and push their own 60-day full. Funding idea instead, lawmakers headed home for a two-week break without a fix, letting the shutdown drag on. Now, with President Trump's backing, they're sinking up to move fast. Democrats are calling it a win for their unity, with Senate leader Chuck Schumer saying GOP-infiting forced the shift. On the flip side, hard-line Republicans like Scott Perry are pushing back hard, warning that partial funding weakens border enforcement.

1:02Workers are feeling it too. Thousands unpaid, leading to longer airport lines as some TSA agents called out, though back pay is starting to flow. The Senate could vote on the first track as early as Thursday morning, but getting it through the House's iffy and recalling folks early from recess, looks tough. That second bill aims to lock in funding for icing border patrol through the end of Trump's term, dodging future Democratic blocks. Trump's calling for the full immigration funding package by June 1st, no dem votes needed. If this plays out, it could finally wrap the chaos, but GOP holdouts might still throw a wrenches, stay tuned as Congress hustles back to the table. Stay informed with global news today. AI-powered updates.