Inside Congress’ Last-Minute Sprint to Fund the Department of Homeland Security

Lawmakers moved in frantic fashion last week to break a six-week Department of Homeland Security shutdown. Inside Congress’ last-minute sprint, leaders raced to fund the Department of Homeland Security before a 15-day Easter and Passover recess.

Senate overnight maneuver

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., advanced a bipartisan plan late Thursday. He circulated a “hotline” to clear the measure with colleagues in advance.

At 2:19 a.m. Friday, with roughly five senators physically on the floor, the Senate approved a bill by voice vote. Leadership had signaled no objections on the hotline, allowing the quick action.

House countermove

The House responded with its own approach the same night. Around 11:28 p.m. Friday, the House adopted a rule that deemed a separate DHS funding measure as passed.

House Republicans insisted their measure fully funded DHS, including ICE and Border Patrol. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., criticized the Senate bill as leaving out immigration enforcement.

Reactions from members

• Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, voiced opposition after the Senate action.
• House Democrats such as Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., signaled support for funding most DHS functions.
• President Trump later indicated approval of the Senate-crafted plan.

Pro forma session and objections

House leaders urged the Senate to adopt the House bill during a brief Monday session. Senate Democrats anticipated that move and positioned a senator to object.

The chamber met for about 31 seconds. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said he was present to block any unanimous-consent shortcut. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., confirmed consent was not secured.

Path to resolution

By Wednesday, the Senate-authored bill was moving toward final approval. House leaders shifted and prepared to accept the Senate language to end most of the shutdown.

The agreement was framed as a way to return TSA pay and restore funding for large portions of DHS ahead of the recess.

How it unfolded

• Thune used a hotline to avoid floor objections and enable rapid Senate action.
• The Senate passed a measure by voice vote at 2:19 a.m. with limited attendance.
• The House used a procedural rule to deem its alternative measure passed late Friday night.
• Democrats prevented a quick unanimous-consent approval of the House bill during a pro forma session.
• Leaders ultimately converged on the Senate bill to end most of the DHS funding lapse.

Filmogaz.com reporting tracked the fast-moving developments on Capitol Hill. The episode highlighted the intense, last-day maneuvers lawmakers can use to address urgent funding failures.