Share this @internewscast.com

WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders struck a deal Monday evening on funding the Department of Homeland Security, two sources familiar with the talks said, paving the way for lawmakers to begin processing the remaining spending bills and avert a government shutdown next weekend.

Details of the deal, which another source characterized as an agreement in principle, were not immediately available.

Funding is set to expire Saturday morning for the departments of State, Defense, Homeland Security, Labor and Health and Human Services and a host of other agencies. The other five funding bills were effectively settled by the end of last week, with only the Homeland Security bill presenting deep divisions Republicans and Democrats were unable to settle.

Heading into the weekend, negotiators were poised to release a package that includes the five other funding bills and would fund DHS separately on an extended stopgap basis, largely continuing the status quo, before reviving attempts to negotiate a full-year funding bill for the department through the end of September.

Separately, a source familiar with negotiations said the White House and other Democrats wanted more border security and enforcement money, while another source said Republicans wanted to reprioritize DHS funds toward the agency’s core mission, without elaborating.

The pivot back to those negotiations slowed the release of text for all six bills. And it will still be difficult for Congress to move the spending bills since the Appropriations committees have not yet released the legislative text of the bills. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has indicted he’ll give lawmakers 72 hours to read the text before a vote. The Senate will then require unanimous consent from all members to vote by 11:59 p.m. ET Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown the following day.

The deal is being negotiated by Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the White House and top appropriators in both chambers. Congress, which broke up the process into two, passed the first tranche of bills this month.

The political salience of immigration, particularly among conservatives, presents a land mine for Johnson.

On Monday afternoon, two leaders of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, Reps. Bob Good, R-Va., and Chip Roy, R-Texas, issued a letter from 41 Republicans demanding that any DHS funding bill include “the core elements of H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act,” or President Joe Biden’s immigration policies won’t change, they said.

“Therefore, we ask you to join us in rejecting the appropriations package (or anything similar) slated to be before the House that will directly fund these disastrous policies, and choose instead to stand against this assault on the American people,” they wrote.

The hard-right members are widely expected to vote against the package, and their votes aren’t necessary to create the bipartisan coalition necessary to pass the bill. But those members can create political headaches for Johnson if they’re sufficiently angry about it.

While the two parties have clashed over the appropriate venue for border policy changes — the funding bill or a separate package — the White House has also sought additional funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other operational needs.

Republicans rejected additional funding for ICE in a bipartisan border deal agreed to by senators and the White House, demanding additional policy changes. But they, too, have demands in the funding bill. The White House has also sought increased flexibility to aid border operations, sources with knowledge of the discussion said. It’s unclear how many of Biden’s requests will make it into the bill.

It’s highly unusual for Congress to continue haggling over government funding nearly half a year into the fiscal year. Funding for fiscal year 2025 is due by the end of September.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Chicago man accused of stabbing, choking UK woman then calling dad for lawyer found guilty of murder

Chicago Man Convicted of Murdering UK Woman After Seeking Legal Help from Father

A Chicago native studying abroad in London has been convicted of the…
‘Depart immediately’: State Department warns Americans as al Qaeda threatens to overrun African nation

Urgent Alert: U.S. State Department Advises Immediate Departure Amid Rising al Qaeda Threat in African Nation

Mali, a nation in West Africa, is precariously close to becoming the…
Child Sex Predators: Inside an undercover Florida sting operation targeting online predators

Florida Sting Operation Unveils Undercover Efforts Against Online Child Predators

First Coast News recently gained unique access to an undercover sting operation…
Head tax Chicago budget news: Mayor Brandon Johnson changes proposal; Chicago City Council members prepare to present alternatives

Mayor Johnson Revamps Chicago Budget Proposal: City Council Gears Up with New Alternatives

In an effort to gain more support for his budget proposal, Chicago…
DC’s Poverty Fiction: 40.8M vs. America’s 178.5M Reality

Unveiling the Truth: Disparities in Poverty Figures Between DC and the Rest of America

By Seton Motley Monetary inflation orchestrated by the government continues to be…
Mom of missing autistic son released, but boy’s disappearance still a mystery

Breaking: Mother Released Amid Ongoing Mystery of Missing Autistic Son’s Disappearance

In a significant development, a Brooklyn judge has ordered the release of…
Ana Walshe's DNA found on hacksaw, hatchet, bloody rug, forensic scientist testifies in husband's trial

Shocking Evidence: Ana Walshe’s DNA Uncovered on Murder Weapons in Gripping Courtroom Drama

In a significant development during the murder trial of Brian Walshe, forensic…
University of Oklahoma removes professor for alleged discrimination related to TA who gave Christian student 0

Controversy Erupts at University of Oklahoma: Professor Removed Amid Allegations of Bias Against Christian Student

A professor at the University of Oklahoma finds themselves in hot water…
Murdaugh retrial hopes dim as ex-AG says Becky Hill’s guilty plea won’t sway high court

Ex-AG Suggests Becky Hill’s Guilty Plea Unlikely to Impact Murdaugh Retrial Hopes

The recent guilty plea by Becky Hill, a former Colleton County Clerk,…
Luigi Mangione said 'all these people here for a mass murder, why?' at arraignment: police officer

Luigi Mangione’s Shocking Statement at Arraignment: Unraveling the Mass Murder Mystery

Following his arraignment in Pennsylvania, Luigi Mangione appeared taken aback by the…
Jalen Hurts has two turnovers on same play during Eagles-Chargers game

Jalen Hurts Commits Dual Turnovers on Single Play in Eagles-Chargers Matchup

In a challenging first half for Jalen Hurts during the Eagles’ Monday…
Belgium balks at EU plan to seize Russian assets, citing fear of Kremlin retaliation

Belgium Challenges EU’s Proposal to Seize Russian Assets Amid Retaliation Concerns

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen…