Johnson says he has ‘modified’ version of Senate DHS bipartisan bill
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Monday that a bipartisan Senate bill to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) includes “problematic” language and added that he has a “modified” version of the measure.
The Senate bill, which was passed earlier this month, is part of a two-step process aimed at ending the record-breaking DHS shutdown, which has stretched for over two months. Republicans are looking to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol separately through the budget reconciliation process, which would allow them to bypass a filibuster in the Senate.
Johnson told reporters at the Capitol that the Senate bill 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. Doesn’t change most of the substance, but it makes sure that we’re not going to orphan two of the primary agencies of DHS, we have to make sure that immigration law is enforced and that the border is safe and secure. Democrats don’t want to have any part of that, so unfortunately, we have to do that on our own,” he said.
Any changes the House makes to the Senate-passed bill would need to go through the upper chamber for approval again.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said in response that, “We funded all the other agencies in the approps bill and we’re coming now behind that with certainty about the future for those two agencies. So I think we did everything we can to ensure that everything is appropriately funded,” according to Punchbowl News.
Johnson’s latest push for a modified Senate bill could risk dragging out the shutdown. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said last week that money for DHS employees will dry out by the first week of May.
The Senate adopted a budget blueprint for a reconciliation bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol last week. House GOP leaders also plan to bring that blueprint to the floor this week, but they could run into resistance from hard-line conservatives locked in a debate over the size and scope of the legislation.
But President Trump, in a Truth Social post on Monday, urged House Republicans to support the budget blueprint House GOP leaders plan to bring to the floor.
“House Republicans must UNIFY, and pass the same Blueprint to get the Bill done. I’ve asked for the final Bill on my desk by June 1st, and we can make that deadline if we keep to the plan, FAST and FOCUSED,” he wrote.