Republicans are moving to fund Homeland Security ’the hard way’ after end of talks

Republicans in Congress are forging ahead with a risky go-it-alone strategy for fully funding the Department of Homeland Security, which has been shut down for almost two months as Democrats demand changes to President Donald Trump’s broad campaign of immigration enforcement.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on Tuesday (April 14, 2026) that Republicans will try to pass the money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection “ the hard way.” That means bypassing Democrats, who say a funding bill should place restraints on federal immigration authorities, including better identification for federal officers and more use of judicial warrants.