House Advances 60-Day DHS Funding Measure, Senate Path Uncertain

In an effort to get the Senate off its hands and fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. House has advanced a new, clean extension of DHS funding for 60-days.

The House Rules Committee advanced the measure Friday afternoon, after House Speaker Mike Johnson vehemently rejected a Senate deal they passed overnight Thursday. That bill provided funding for DHS minus without money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), halting roughly $5.5 billion for the agency. It also gutted funding for Customs and Border Enforcement (CBP).

House Republicans are expected to have the votes to pass this new resolution on the full floor, whenever they do vote. However, it is not clear when that will take place. Many lawmakers have left for the weekend.

The bill though, even if it passes the House, faces likely denial in the Senate. In that chamber, Democrats have been blocking DHS funding for six weeks, demanding restrictions on ICE. They have demanded specifically that agents wear masks, and that ICE must obtain judicial warrants. Both of those items have been called "nonstarters" by Republicans.