House Rejects Bipartisan Senate DHS Funding Compromise, Prolonging Shutdown; Passes American Property Abroad Act
The House convened for a busy legislative day, marked by the passage of H.R. 7084, the Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026, which aims to protect U.S. investments in foreign ports. The day's most contentious action, however, centered on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations. The House adopted a rule (H. Res. 1142) to concur with the Senate's amendment to H.R. 7147, but with a House amendment (Rules Committee Print 119-21) that effectively rejected the Senate's bipartisan DHS funding compromise. This procedural move prolonged the partial shutdown of DHS, which had been ongoing for 42 days.
The adoption of H. Res. 1142 signifies the House's rejection of a bipartisan Senate-passed bill to fully fund DHS, instead opting for a short-term continuing resolution that maintains full funding for all DHS components, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This action directly impacts the paychecks of thousands of federal workers, including TSA agents, FEMA staff, and Coast Guard personnel, and signals a continued stalemate in the appropriations process, particularly concerning immigration enforcement policies.
Providing for Disposition of Senate Amendment to H.R. 7147, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
H. Res. 1142Question before the chamber
Adoption of H. Res. 1142, which proposes a House amendment to the Senate's amendment to H.R. 7147.
The case for
Proponents of the House's approach, including Mrs. Fischbach, Mr. Austin Scott, Mr. Clyde, Mr. Scalise, Mr. Meuser, Mr. Moore (WV), and Mr. McDowell, argued that the Senate's bill (H.R. 7147 as amended by the Senate) was a "nonstarter" because it effectively "defunded" ICE and Border Patrol by setting their funding to $0 in its explanatory statement, which they deemed unacceptable and a pathway to an open border. They asserted that the House's proposed 60-day continuing resolution (CR) fully funds all Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components, including ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), ensuring all homeland defenders are paid and critical operations continue. They accused Democrats of holding national security hostage to push a "reckless, open-border, and pro-illegal alien agenda," and of causing the shutdown. They highlighted the House CR as a means to allow time for further negotiations while keeping DHS running and airports moving, especially during heavy travel times like Easter and Passover, and emphasized the heightened threats and increased crimes by illegal aliens as reasons for full funding for enforcement agencies.
The case against
Opponents of the House's action, including Mr. McGovern, Mr. Menefee, Mr. Jeffries, Ms. Clark, Mr. Garcia (IL), Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Stanton, Mrs. Torres, and Mr. Green (TX), argued that the Senate bill (H.R. 7147 as amended by the Senate) was a bipartisan compromise, passed unanimously by the Republican-controlled Senate, and would immediately end the DHS shutdown, paying TSA, FEMA, Coast Guard, and CISA employees. They contended that Speaker Johnson was refusing to bring the Senate bill to a vote, thereby prolonging the shutdown for political reasons and to appease "far-right extremists." They stated that the House's proposed CR was a "nonstarter" and "dead on arrival" in the Senate, serving only to continue the shutdown and create chaos. They dismissed claims that ICE and CBP were being "defunded" as false, noting these agencies already have billions in funding, including a $75 billion "slush fund" for ICE from a previous "One Big Ugly Bill." Democrats demanded reforms for ICE due to allegations of brutality, constitutional violations (e.g., warrantless entries, detaining U.S. citizens, excessive force, deaths in custody), and terrorizing communities, asserting that Republicans were holding essential government services hostage to avoid these necessary reforms and to continue funding what they called "Trump's violent, extreme, mass deportation machine."
Disposition
The resolution was adopted. · recorded vote
The House adopted a rule to concur with the Senate amendment to H.R. 7147, but with a House amendment (Rules Committee Print 119-21) that proposes a different continuing resolution for DHS, effectively rejecting the Senate's bipartisan compromise.
213-203
Amendments
- Mr. McGovern offered an amendment to the rule to adopt the Senate amendment to H.R. 7147, which was the bipartisan compromise bill passed unanimously by the Senate. (Mr. McGovern) — Not adopted (prevented by the ordering of the previous question).
Who is affected
- Department of Homeland Security employees (TSA, FEMA, Coast Guard, CISA, ICE, CBP): Continued uncertainty regarding paychecks and operational funding due to the prolonged shutdown; some employees working without pay.
- American citizens and travelers: Inconvenience and potential safety risks at airports due to unpaid TSA agents; potential delays in disaster relief from FEMA; reduced cybersecurity protection; impact on border security and immigration enforcement.
- Immigrant communities and U.S. citizens targeted by ICE: Continued exposure to alleged ICE brutality, constitutional violations, and lack of accountability, as reforms demanded by opponents were not adopted.
House Rejects Bipartisan Senate DHS Funding Compromise
highThe House adopted H. Res. 1142, which provided for concurring in the Senate's amendment to H.R. 7147 with a House amendment (Rules Committee Print 119-21). This action effectively rejected the Senate's unanimously passed bill, which aimed to fund DHS agencies like TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard while setting funding for ICE and Border Security Operations to $0 in its explanatory statement.
Prolongation of DHS Shutdown
highBy adopting its own amendment to the Senate bill, the House ensured the continuation of the partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown. Opponents of the House's action argued that this decision would continue to withhold paychecks from TSA agents, FEMA, and Coast Guard personnel, while proponents insisted on full funding for all DHS components, including ICE and CBP, for a 60-day period.
Passage of Defending American Property Abroad Act
mediumThe House passed H.R. 7084, the Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026, by a recorded vote of 247-164. This bill grants the President authority to deny entry to U.S. ports for vessels that have used foreign ports expropriated from U.S. citizens, specifically addressing concerns related to a U.S. company's assets in Mexico.
Deep Partisan Divide on Immigration Enforcement
highThe debate over DHS funding highlighted a stark partisan divide, with Republicans advocating for full funding of ICE and CBP to enhance border security and deport illegal aliens, citing recent crimes. Democrats demanded reforms for ICE, alleging brutality and constitutional violations against U.S. citizens and immigrants, and criticized the Republican stance as prolonging the shutdown.