As the federal government enters its third day of a partial shutdown, House Republicans are divided over Senate changes to a $1.2 trillion funding package, putting an upcoming vote at risk.
According to The Center Square, the Senate-approved package includes five of the six remaining appropriations bills, covering State-Foreign Affairs, Financial Services, Defense, Labor-HHS-Education, and Transportation-HUD. It also includes a short-term continuing resolution in place of the Homeland Security funding bill.
The agreement, negotiated by Senate leaders and the White House, was crafted without input from House lawmakers. As a result, members from both parties in the House have expressed frustration with the deal.
Under the continuing resolution, Department of Homeland Security funding would remain at current levels for two weeks. During that period, lawmakers would revise the House-passed Homeland Security bill to address Democratic demands tied to immigration enforcement.
Proposed changes include banning agents from wearing masks, requiring body cameras, tightening warrant requirements, and implementing additional oversight measures.
Dozens of House Republicans affiliated with the House Freedom Caucus have strongly opposed the plan, arguing it would weaken border and immigration enforcement.
“We are not going to let Chuck Schumer defund Homeland Security to protect criminal illegal aliens,” the group said in a statement. “One way or another, we will make sure that ICE, Border Patrol, FEMA, TSA, Coast Guard, Secret Service, and others get the funding they need.”
Another major obstacle involves demands from several Republican lawmakers who want additional provisions added to the bill.
With Republicans holding only a one-seat majority in the House, three members — Anna Paulina Luna, Tim Burchett, and Chip Roy — are insisting the package include the SAVE Act.
The legislation would require voters to present identification at polling places, a measure supported by most Republicans but opposed by Democrats.
If the SAVE Act is added, the funding package would have to return to the Senate for another vote. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has warned that such a move would kill the legislation.
Republicans have pushed back against that position.
“House Republicans shouldn’t let Schumer dictate the terms of government funding,” Rep. Eric Burlison said Monday. “If Democrats want to play games, no spending package should come out of the House without the SAVE Act attached.”
Before the bill can reach the House floor, it must first be approved by the House Rules Committee. Republican leaders are hoping the committee will clear the package Monday night, allowing for a vote as early as Tuesday.
With internal divisions unresolved and negotiations ongoing, the funding dispute continues to threaten a prolonged shutdown and further political uncertainty.
