Republican Leaders Split Over Homeland Security Funding Deal

House Speaker Mike Johnson rejects Senate's bipartisan compromise, leaving Congress at an impasse.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 5:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty government office or legislative chamber, with warm light streaming in through a window and deep shadows cast across the room, conveying a sense of political tension and division.The collapse of a bipartisan deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security exposes a rare rift between Republican leaders in Congress.NYC Today

A deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security that was unanimously agreed to by the Senate collapsed after House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, angrily denounced it as a 'joke.' The breakdown has exposed a rare rift between the two GOP leaders in Congress and leaves lawmakers with no clear path forward as the partial government shutdown over DHS funding drags on.

Why it matters

The failure of the bipartisan compromise highlights the deep divisions within the Republican Party over immigration and border security issues, complicating efforts by GOP leaders to advance President Trump's priorities before the November elections. It also gives Democrats another chance to pin the blame for the ongoing DHS shutdown on House Republicans.

The details

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., had negotiated for weeks with Democrats to reach a deal that would fund most of DHS without including money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Border Patrol, addressing Democratic demands for new limits on the agencies. Thune believed he had a compromise that Trump would sign, but when House Republicans learned of the plan, they reacted with swift outrage. Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., said dozens of GOP members, from moderates to conservatives, spoke out against the Senate's actions on a conference call, accusing them of 'chickening out' to go home for a two-week break.

  • The Senate unanimously agreed to the deal early Friday morning before heading to the airports.
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson angrily denounced the Senate's plan on Friday afternoon.

The players

Mike Johnson

The Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives who rejected the Senate's bipartisan compromise on DHS funding.

John Thune

The Republican Senate Majority Leader who negotiated the bipartisan deal with Democrats.

Chuck Schumer

The Democratic Senate Minority Leader who worked with Thune on the compromise.

Nick LaLota

A Republican Congressman from New York who said dozens of GOP members opposed the Senate's actions.

Katherine Clark

The Democratic House Whip who said House Republicans know their actions will continue the DHS shutdown.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I have to protect the House, and I have to protect the American people.”

— Mike Johnson, House Speaker

“The Senate chickened out. The cowards there, only a few of them in the middle of the night with I think only three to five senators present on the floor, chickened out because they wanted to go home for two weeks. We need to raise the bar.”

— Nick LaLota, Republican Congressman

“They know this is a continuation of the shutdown because the Senate is gone. So they know fully well what they're doing.”

— Katherine Clark, Democratic House Whip

What’s next

It is unclear what the Senate will do next, as negotiations ended acrimoniously on both sides. A quick resumption of talks is unlikely, leaving Congress with no easy way out of the impasse that has put the Department of Homeland Security into a partial shutdown since mid-February.

The takeaway

The collapse of the bipartisan deal highlights the deep divisions within the Republican Party over immigration and border security issues, complicating efforts by GOP leaders to advance President Trump's priorities before the November elections. It also gives Democrats another chance to pin the blame for the ongoing DHS shutdown on House Republicans.