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House Republicans narrowly approved a budget blueprint to fund key immigration enforcement agencies, marking a critical step toward reopening the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after a historic shutdown.
Late-Night Vote After Hours of Negotiation
The measure passed 215-211-1 following more than five hours of deliberation, as Republican leaders worked to secure support from holdouts. Several GOP lawmakers ultimately switched their votes to “yes,” allowing the resolution to move forward.
Speaker Mike Johnson and party leadership framed the vote as essential to restoring funding for federal agencies amid ongoing political tensions.
What the Plan Includes
The approved resolution sets the stage for drafting legislation that would allocate billions of dollars to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term.
Republicans are using the budget reconciliation process, which allows them to bypass Democratic opposition in the Senate and pass funding with a simple majority.
Political Divide Over Reforms
Democrats remain firmly opposed, arguing that funding should be tied to reforms in enforcement practices. Their stance follows a fatal shooting involving federal agents earlier this year, which intensified scrutiny of ICE operations.
This divide has stalled broader negotiations and prolonged the DHS shutdown, which began in mid-February and is now the longest in U.S. history.
Urgency Builds Amid National Security Concerns
Recent violence at a high-profile event in Washington has renewed urgency around the funding fight. The White House has labeled the ongoing shutdown a “national emergency,” increasing pressure on lawmakers to reach a resolution.
What’s Next?
While the House has advanced its proposal, it remains unclear when leaders will bring a Senate-approved funding bill to the floor. Negotiations are expected to continue as lawmakers face a June 1 deadline to finalize funding for immigration enforcement agencies.
For more on the DHS, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.