Why It Matters
The Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues to affect federal employees responsible for border security, immigration enforcement, cybersecurity, and disaster response. The Senate has sent funding legislation to the House, but lawmakers remain on recess until mid-April.
President Donald Trump indicated he may bypass Congress through executive action to ensure DHS employees receive pay during the lapse in appropriations.
What Happened
The Senate approved legislation Thursday to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, passing the same measure it cleared the previous week. The bill now awaits House action.
Trump posted on social media that he will sign an order to pay all Department of Homeland Security employees. The president did not specify a timeline or funding source for the executive action. White House officials did not immediately provide details.
The House held a brief pro forma session following Senate passage but did not take up the funding bill. Speaker Mike Johnson’s office did not respond to requests for comment on when the chamber might vote on the measure.
By the Numbers
House members are scheduled to return from spring recess on April 14, more than two weeks away. The Senate passed the same funding bill twice, once last week and again Thursday. Pro forma sessions are typically held every three days during congressional breaks.
Zoom Out
Federal agency shutdowns occur when Congress fails to pass appropriations legislation before existing funding expires. The Department of Homeland Security oversees multiple agencies including Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Presidents have limited authority to redirect funds without congressional approval, though emergency pay measures for federal workers have been implemented during previous shutdowns.
What’s Next
The House must act on the Senate-passed funding bill to send it to the president’s desk. Trump’s stated executive order on employee pay awaits release and implementation details. Congressional leadership has not announced plans to recall members early from recess to address the shutdown.