How the Homeland Security deal unraveled and split Republican leaders
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune negotiated a deal with Democrats to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) but exclude funding for ICE and Border Patrol, aiming to end the partial DHS shutdown.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson rejected the Senate deal as a "joke," leading to a dramatic collapse and exposing a rare public rift between top Republican leaders in Congress.
- The shutdown, ongoing since mid-February, remains unresolved as House Republicans oppose the Senate compromise, criticizing it for conceding too much and refusing to fund immigration enforcement agencies.
- The impasse complicates Republican efforts to advance other priorities, including voting laws and potential war funding for Iran, while Democrats blame House Republicans for prolonging the shutdown.
- With Congress on a two-week spring break and negotiations stalled, there is little indication of a quick resolution, as both sides blame each other for the breakdown in talks.
