WASHINGTON — Republican leaders in Congress announced a plan on Wednesday to end a partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security by pursuing a two-track funding approach for the agency.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune said in a joint statement that Republicans would move in the coming days to fully fund most of the Department of Homeland Security through one measure while addressing funding for certain immigration and border security components separately.
The partial shutdown, which began on Feb. 14 and has impacted operations at the Department of Homeland Security while leaving the rest of the federal government funded, became the longest in U.S. history earlier this week, surpassing previous records, according to multiple reports. It has caused disruptions including at airports.
Under the proposal, Republicans plan to advance legislation to fund the bulk of the department through the end of the fiscal year, excluding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and certain elements of Customs and Border Protection. Funding for those agencies would be pursued later through a separate process, potentially using budget reconciliation to avoid a Democratic filibuster in the Senate.
The announcement follows internal Republican divisions that stalled earlier efforts. Last week, House Republicans rejected a Senate-passed bipartisan agreement on similar terms, leading to a delay as lawmakers left Washington for a recess. The new plan revives elements of that Senate framework after discussions involving President Donald Trump.
“In the coming days, Republicans in Congress will follow through on President Trump’s directive to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security,” Johnson and Thune said in the joint statement. “This two-track approach will fully reopen the department, ensure all federal workers are paid, and fund immigration enforcement and border security.”
The shutdown stems from broader disputes in Congress over immigration enforcement policies and related reforms. Democrats have pushed for a comprehensive funding deal without additional policy riders, while some Republicans have sought to tie funding to changes including voter identification requirements.
Details on the exact timing for votes remain unclear, as both chambers are currently in recess, with the House scheduled to return around mid-April. It is uncertain whether sufficient support exists in the narrowly divided House to advance the measures quickly upon return.
White House officials have backed the Republican approach, according to reports, but reaction from Democratic leaders was not immediately available.
The proposal aims to resolve the funding lapse without a full continuing resolution that might extend the impasse. No final votes have been scheduled, and passage in both chambers is not assured given past disagreements.
As of Wednesday, the shutdown had stretched beyond 49 days, with effects including delayed operations at agencies under the Department of Homeland Security. Federal workers affected have continued in many cases without pay, pending resolution.
Lawmakers from both parties have faced pressure to reach an agreement amid the operational impacts.
