Iowa Lawmakers Expect Reconciliation Bill to End Government Shutdown Next Week

Congressional members say party-line budget bill will fund Department of Homeland Security amid partisan gridlock.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:09pm

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A vibrant, fractured painting depicting the U.S. Capitol building, government officials, and partisan symbols in a chaotic, high-energy style, conceptually representing the political tensions and partisan divisions behind the ongoing government shutdown.As partisan gridlock in Congress drags on, a reconciliation bill emerges as the latest attempt to end a record-breaking government shutdown over homeland security funding.Washington Today

As a partial government shutdown over funding the Department of Homeland Security stretches into its second month, members of Iowa's congressional delegation anticipate reconciliation will be the solution to ending the standstill. Republican senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst say their party will pursue a reconciliation process next week to fund DHS, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol, despite Democrats' demands for changes to ICE operations.

Why it matters

The prolonged partial shutdown has disrupted critical national security functions, including airport security, the Coast Guard, and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Lawmakers remain divided on how to allocate funds, with Democrats refusing to pass legislation that doesn't include immigration enforcement reforms. This political impasse has led to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

The details

Multiple efforts to pass a budget deal have fallen short of ending the funding lapse. Many deals and bills have been proposed, amended, then rejected in the Senate and the House. Before entering recess on March 25, the Senate failed to pass a vote on a proposal to continue DHS funding, refusing to pass legislation that didn't include more immigration enforcement reforms. Two days later, a bill unanimously approved by the Senate in a late night vote was stymied by House GOP lawmakers, who did not want to agree to fund all of DHS except ICE and Border Patrol.

  • The partial shutdown tallied to 60 days on April 15, following the longest government shutdown in U.S. history — a 43 day federal government shutdown caused by partisan disagreement over health care spending that ended in mid-November.
  • After a scheduled two week break, federal lawmakers returned to session on April 13.

The players

Chuck Grassley

A Republican U.S. Senator from Iowa who says Republicans will pursue a reconciliation process next week to fund the Department of Homeland Security, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol.

Joni Ernst

A Republican U.S. Senator from Iowa who also anticipates reconciliation will be the way to end the government shutdown, and says it is unfortunate that Democrats have not worked across the aisle to reach an agreement that allows for the funding of DHS.

Ashley Hinson

A Republican U.S. Representative from Iowa who says Democrats need to 'get on board and move this ball forward', and that she has voted 'yes' to keeping DHS funded every time she has voted on a funding bill, but Democrats are stalling the process.

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What they’re saying

“'You may hear some difference of opinions, but I think we had a caucus yesterday that shows unity behind this approach.'”

— Chuck Grassley, U.S. Senator

“'We should be able to continue to work together to find a way to fund the entirety of the organization, but it looks like reconciliation will be the way we fund it.'”

— Joni Ernst, U.S. Senator

“'As of right now, they have offered reforms. We've agreed to many of those reforms, and then they walked away from the table, and that's just not negotiating in good faith. They need to come to the table and get DHS funded.'”

— Ashley Hinson, U.S. Representative

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.