Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is increasing pressure on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., as the Department of Homeland Security shutdown stretches into its sixth week, with no resolution in sight and mounting disruptions nationwide, as reported by Fox News.
The shutdown, now in its 38th day, is affecting key federal agencies and causing significant delays at major airports across the country.
Travelers in cities including Houston, New Orleans, and New York City are experiencing hours-long waits due to staffing shortages within the Transportation Security Administration.
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TSA agents, who fall under DHS, are expected to miss their second full paychecks this Friday as the funding lapse continues.
The agency is among several operating under DHS, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
House Republican leaders are planning votes Thursday on two measures aimed at addressing the shutdown and highlighting divisions with Democrats.
One bill would fund DHS through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, based on a bipartisan agreement reached earlier this year.
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According to the report, Democrats withdrew support for that deal in opposition to President Donald Trump’s approach to illegal immigration enforcement.
The House has already passed similar DHS funding legislation twice and is expected to pass it again. This latest version is being led by Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz.
A second measure, a nonbinding resolution introduced by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., expresses support for DHS agencies and personnel. While it is expected to pass, the level of Democratic backing remains uncertain.
A House GOP leadership aide said, “Anyone waiting for hours just to miss their flights will not soon forget, and Republicans are going to continue reminding Americans that it’s the Democrats putting their safety at risk just to protect criminal illegal aliens.”
The aide added, “The problem for Democrats in their latest shutdown is they are hurting American citizens in an effort to protect criminal illegals and reopen our border, as evidenced by their own words and bills they are pushing to defund Customs and Border Patrol.”
Negotiations between Republicans and Democrats have stalled over proposed changes to immigration enforcement policies.
Democrats have pushed for measures requiring judicial warrants for immigration operations and banning agents from wearing face masks, proposals Republicans have rejected.
President Donald Trump also complicated negotiations by urging Republicans not to accept any agreement until Democrats support the SAVE America Act, an election integrity proposal.
In the Senate, any funding bill will require support from at least some Democrats to overcome a filibuster. Meanwhile, House Republicans, who hold a simple majority, have continued advancing their own proposals.
Ciscomani said:
“This standoff has gone on long enough. The men and women who keep our country safe here at home are a critical part of our national security—they need to get paid, now. These professionals should never be caught in the middle of political games, yet that’s exactly what has happened. It’s shameful.”
Mackenzie also criticized Democratic leadership, stating, “Instead of joining the bipartisan majority in supporting full funding for DHS, including commonsense reforms like body cameras and de-escalation training, Democratic leadership is afraid of the radical ‘Defund ICE’ movement and unwilling to compromise in order to protect the American people. This situation is unacceptable, and it must end immediately.”
Democrats have proposed legislation to fund DHS while excluding agencies tied to immigration enforcement efforts.
Both Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., have cited concerns over ICE operations in Minneapolis and other cities as justification for opposing broader DHS funding proposals.
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