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
Harvey Weinstein at his retrial.

Jurors in Harvey Weinstein Retrial Signal Possible Deadlock, Send Multiple Notes to Judge on Day 3 of Deliberations

JURORS in Harvey Weinstein’s sex crimes retrial are stuck in limbo as…
Police respond to shooting on Las Vegas strip near tourist hot spot

Law Enforcement Addresses Shooting Incident Near Las Vegas Strip Tourist Area

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A wild video making…
Skydiving plane with 20 people aboard crashes in Tullahoma, Tennessee; no deaths reported, FAA says

A skydiving plane carrying 20 individuals crashes in Tullahoma, Tennessee; all survived, according to the FAA.

TULLAHOMA, Tenn. — A twin-engine propeller plane with 20 individuals on board…
Israeli forces seize Gaza-bound aid boat and detain Greta Thunberg and other activists

Israeli Military Intercepts Gaza Aid Vessel, Detains Greta Thunberg and Fellow Activists

Israeli forces took control of a boat headed for Gaza, capturing Greta…
Progressive states that care not for laws or the border are the ones tearing us apart

How Lawless and Open Border Policies in Progressive States Contribute to National Division

The nation has been keenly observing the anti-ICE “protests” featured on television,…
Our Chicago: Impact of planned U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel deal on Gary, Indiana plant and Midwest

How the Upcoming U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel Partnership Could Affect Gary, Indiana’s Plant and the Midwest

CHICAGO (WLS) — President Donald Trump recently announced a partnership between U.S.…
Costco Wholesale sign on a building.

A Health Product Sold at Costco and Amazon Recalled After Injuring More Than 100 People – Shoppers Eligible for Refunds and Free Memberships

SHOPPERS have been issued a health warning after a fitness product sold…
Image of Max and Sam Johnson in karate uniforms, faces blurred.

Shocking Autopsy Report Unveils New Details in Case of Grandma Allegedly Killing Grandsons at Farmhouse

TWO children found dead in their rural home were allegedly drugged before…
Club World Cup in US faces low enthusiasm amid visa delays, border fears

Lackluster Enthusiasm and Visa Challenges Overshadow Club World Cup in US

The tournament is widely regarded as a precursor to the main event,…
Anti-ICE protesters in Los Angeles spit on and burn American flag

Protesters in Los Angeles Burn and Deface American Flag During Anti-ICE Demonstration

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Protesters in Los Angeles…
Child drowns in the ocean on Fernandina Beach

Tragic Incident: Child Drowns in Fernandina Beach Ocean

The child died in the hospital Saturday after being rescued from the…
Recall: Nasal and teething swabs may be contaminated with fungi

Warning: Potential Fungal Contamination Found in Nasal and Teething Swabs

The microbial contamination poses serious health risks and could cause life-threatening blood…