House Republican leaders rejected a Senate-backed short-term Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding measure and unveiled plans to pursue their own approach, saying the Senate bill — which secured pay for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents but left out major immigration enforcement components — did not fund DHS “in its entirety.”
What the House is doing
House GOP leaders told members they will seek an alternative that both ensures immediate pay for TSA workers and restores funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and certain Customs and Border Protection (CBP) units. Republicans said they could redirect money from a broader Republican spending and reconciliation package, which already contains immigration enforcement money, to cover TSA payroll while holding out for full DHS funding.
Why they rejected the Senate measure
The Senate bill aimed to quickly restore pay for TSA personnel but deliberately omitted ICE and some CBP elements. House Republicans argued that piecemeal funding undermines their enforcement priorities and refused to accept a stopgap that excluded those agencies. Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP negotiators criticized the Senate and Democrats for advancing a bill they consider insufficient.
White House signals and confusion
Mixed signals from the White House complicated talks. Reporters tracked backchannel suggestions that the president might sign the Senate text, but the president later told Fox News he did not favor a spending bill that left out ICE and CBP funding and expressed support for the House position. House leaders told members the White House backed the House plan; the shifting messages left both chambers operating on different assumptions and narrowed the window for a quick deal.
TSA pay mechanics
Republicans briefed members on a practical way to get TSA employees paid immediately: move funds from the larger GOP package that contains immigration enforcement provisions. That option has been under discussion for days and was presented as a stopgap payroll fix while leadership pursues a broader DHS funding strategy.
Political stakes and risks
The dispute exposes the slim margins and fragile coalitions in both chambers. Democrats and some Senate Republicans supported the more limited bill focused on TSA pay, while House Republicans insist on including immigration enforcement funding in any stopgap. A drawn-out impasse could prolong unpaid status for federal workers and intensify intra-party tensions in the House. House leaders have indicated they prefer a slower path that secures their priorities rather than accepting the Senate’s text immediately.
Other House developments
Separately, House Democrats are dealing with an inquiry into Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. Party leaders said they are awaiting recommendations from the House Ethics Committee; some Democrats signaled they could back expulsion if the committee urges it. Removing a Democratic member would alter the narrow House arithmetic and could be advantageous to Speaker Johnson and House Republicans.
Outlook
The Senate has adjourned after passing its shorter measure, reducing the chance of immediate cross-chamber resolution. House Republicans say they will pursue options to both guarantee TSA pay and secure ICE and certain CBP funding even if that process takes longer than the Senate’s timetable. The ultimate outcome will depend on whether the White House formally endorses the House approach and whether enough Republican members unite behind whatever plan leadership advances.