House Speaker Mike Johnson rejected a bipartisan Department of Homeland Security funding deal Tuesday, saying Democrats proposed "literally putting the number zero in the bill for the funding of border security and customs and immigration enforcement." Johnson made the comments on Fox News as negotiations over DHS funding have stalled for six weeks. President Trump is considering using constitutional powers to force Congress to return to session next week, he told the New York Post.
The funding impasse centers on Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol operations. Johnson has staked out the position that GOP leaders won't support any deal that doesn't fund these agencies. Democrats refuse to fund immigration enforcement without accompanying reforms, which House GOP hardliners find unacceptable. Senate Republicans have already yielded to Democratic demands on ICE funding.
Republican leaders face limited options with time running short. They could continue negotiations with Democrats, though talks have been unproductive for weeks. The reconciliation process could bypass the Senate's 60-vote threshold but would require more time than available. Johnson told Fox News that "the Senate has to do [its] job and help us on this heavy lift."
A Democratic-led discharge petition to fund DHS without ICE and CBP funding poses a potential threat to GOP unity, though leadership aides say it's unlikely to gain Republican support currently. Rep. David Valadao said he doubts any Republicans would sign on, arguing the agency needs full funding. Problem Solvers co-chairs are floating a compromise bill with ICE reforms, but its prospects remain unclear.