House Republicans, led by Mike Johnson, shut down a bipartisan Senate deal Friday, keeping the Department of Homeland Security stuck in limbo after six weeks without full funding. Instead, Johnson is pushing a short-term extension through May 22, but that plan is already running into major resistance across the Capitol.
Johnson made it clear he was not backing down.
“The Republicans are not going to be any part of any effort to reopen our borders or to stop immigration enforcement,” he said. “We are going to deport dangerous criminal illegal aliens because it is a basic function of the government. The Democrats fundamentally disagree.” He also doubled down, adding, “We are not playing their games.”
Meanwhile, Senate leadership is not on the same page. John Thune had pushed forward a funding bill that would keep most DHS operations running, planning to handle immigration enforcement funding later. But that strategy clearly did not land with House Republicans.
On the other side, Chuck Schumer wasted no time calling the House plan “dead on arrival,” making it clear the Senate will not greenlight the proposal.
Even inside the GOP, doubts are growing. Some lawmakers are questioning whether extending the standoff makes any political or practical sense, especially with no clear path to Senate approval.
So now, with both chambers locked in a standoff and no compromise in sight, this shutdown is on track to make history for all the wrong reasons.
