Republican leaders in Congress say they’ll pursue a path to ending the Homeland Security shutdown
Apr 1, 2026, 12:10 PM
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
(AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced Wednesday what they are calling a path forward to fully funding the Department of Homeland Security and ending a record partial government shutdown.
They said in a joint statement that “in the coming days,” Republicans in the House and Senate would follow through on President Donald Trump’s directive to fully fund the department, using two parallel tracks. One would follow the regular appropriations process. The other would use a reconciliation bill that Republicans would likely have to pass on their own later this year.
Neither outcome is guaranteed, and the strategy certain to face opposition from Democrats, if not the GOP’s own ranks.
