GOP Leaders Clash Over Homeland Security Funding Amid Shutdown Threat

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) are publicly clashing over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), further complicating Republican efforts to end the 72-day government shutdown.

The dispute centers on a DHS appropriations bill that cleared the Senate twice but now faces resistance in the House. Senate Republicans are increasingly frustrated with Johnson’s failure to advance the bill, which includes contentious language related to funding for ICE and Border Patrol.

Senate and House Republicans at Odds Over DHS Bill

At the start of the month, Johnson and Thune issued a joint statement outlining a shared plan: fund ICE and Border Patrol through reconciliation and the remaining DHS agencies through the regular appropriations process. However, the Senate-passed bill now risks running out of funding as early as next month, according to DHS warnings.

Johnson Pushes for Modifications to Senate Bill

Johnson is seeking to revise the Senate-passed DHS bill to secure House votes. In a statement, he criticized the bill’s drafting, calling it “haphazard” and suggesting a modified version would be more viable.

"It has some problematic language because it was haphazardly drafted. We have a modified version that I think is going to be much better for both chambers. It doesn't change most of the substance."

Moments later, Thune responded diplomatically but firmly:

"I think we did everything we can to ensure that everything is appropriately funded."

Thune also indicated openness to collaboration with the House, stating:

"We're working with the House to see if there's a way to do that."

Key Dispute: Funding for ICE and Border Patrol

The primary conflict revolves around language in the Senate bill that would “zero out” funding for ICE and Border Patrol. A bipartisan group of House members is pushing to remove this provision to avoid a vote that could be framed as defunding law enforcement.

Some House Republicans are considering delaying a final vote on the DHS bill until after the reconciliation process is complete, which could push the shutdown into mid-May. However, this approach risks leaving DHS unfunded for weeks.

Minor Edits Could Still Derail Deal

Johnson’s proposed changes appear to be largely stylistic rather than substantive, but even minor revisions would require the Senate to take up and pass the bill again. This procedural hurdle could further delay a resolution.

The bottom line: Both leaders are Republicans and hold key positions, yet their public posturing may make a private compromise more difficult to achieve.