House Returns to Vote After Partial Funding Lapse
House Speaker Mike Johnson returned to Washington facing pressure to advance a federal funding package that would temporarily extend Department of Homeland Security funding for two weeks while lawmakers negotiate a broader, full year spending deal.
The measure is described as a deal between President Donald Trump and Senate Democrats. The goal is to prevent a longer government shutdown and limit major impacts on federal workers if the House can act quickly.
What the Short Term DHS Extension Would Do
The package includes a two week extension of DHS funding. It is paired with a broader spending agreement intended to keep the government operating while negotiations continue over immigration enforcement policy.
Democrats are pressing for changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement practices. The framework would give the parties time to negotiate those demands without allowing DHS funding to lapse again immediately.
Conservatives Object Despite White House Support
Even with Trump backing the package, some House Republicans are signaling opposition.
One Republican lawmaker, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, said she will not support a funding deal that does not include a strict voter ID law. The text states Senate Democrats would not support that requirement.
Narrow Majority Leaves Little Room for Error
Johnson’s margin is extremely tight. The article states he can afford to lose only two defections on a party line vote.
That math is expected to get even tighter after House Democrats elected a new member from Texas, Christian Menefee, in a special election. Once he is sworn in, the article states Johnson can afford only one defection.
Democrats Signal They Will Not Rescue the Bill
Top House Democrats told Johnson they are not inclined to help advance the deal.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told Johnson during a Saturday call that Democrats would not help Republicans pass the bill if Republicans tried to fast track it on Monday, according to two sources familiar with the call. After that, Republican leaders decided not to use that fast track process and instead move through regular order, which the text says would require near unanimity among House Republicans to advance the measure.
Rules Committee Vote Could Determine Whether the Bill Reaches the Floor
A key procedural step is expected in the House Rules Committee, which is scheduled to meet to prepare the package for a floor vote.
The article notes that the committee includes hardline conservatives such as Reps. Chip Roy of Texas and Ralph Norman of South Carolina. Their votes could be pivotal in whether the bill advances.
Senate Republicans Expect House Passage
After the Senate passed the deal, several GOP senators expressed confidence the House would accept it, citing White House support.
Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota said Trump’s endorsement could influence House conservatives. Rounds also said Republicans would pursue their own DHS policy goals in negotiations, including efforts aimed at ending so called sanctuary cities, described as jurisdictions where local officials do not enforce certain federal immigration laws.
ICE Reform Debate Centers on Warrants
The article says negotiations are already focused on a specific dispute: administrative versus judicial warrants.
- Administrative warrants are issued by a government agency, in this case DHS, and are common in immigration enforcement.
- Judicial warrants are court orders signed by a judge or magistrate and are typically used in criminal investigations for search, seizure, and arrest.
Democrats are calling for the use of judicial warrants in immigration enforcement. Republicans described that demand as a nonstarter.
Another DHS Funding Cliff Could Arrive Soon
The article says that even if Congress votes to reopen the government, lawmakers will face a more complex fight over DHS policy.
If the parties do not reach agreement on immigration enforcement rules, the article warns of the prospect of another DHS shutdown in February.
Related Coverage
Idaho News – https://idahonews.co/idaho-news-3/
National News – https://idahonews.co/national-news/
Economy & Market – https://idahonews.co/economy-market/
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