House Faces Funding Twist While Homeland Security Stands on Edge

The House is set to tweak a Senate‑approved bill that would fund most parts of the Department of Homeland Security, sparking fears of a pause in money for agencies that keep the country safe. A senior House speaker said the change would keep the core idea intact but make sure no agency gets left out. The discussion comes after a tragic shooting at a Washington dinner where the President was present, raising concerns about the Secret Service’s budget. The Senate passed the bill twice with no opposition, but House Republicans want a version that also pays for ICE and Border Patrol. Those two agencies were previously left out because lawmakers could not agree on reforms after the 2023 shootings that killed two Americans. A separate $70 billion plan for ICE and Border Patrol already cleared the Senate last week, but House votes on it are still pending.The Secretary of Homeland Security warned that money for the whole department, including TSA, will run out by early May. House leaders argue that a modified bill would help all agencies get the support they need, while hardliners fear it dilutes their goals. If the House passes a new draft, the Senate would have to approve it again, and Democrats might block it by falling short of the 60‑vote threshold. The House’s upcoming budget resolution is a stepping stone that could let the Treasury fund ICE and Border Patrol through special procedures. This approach would keep those agencies funded until the end of the current President’s term in 2029. Last year, Republicans secured about $130 billion for ICE and Border Patrol through a separate funding package. The debate shows how politics can delay critical security budgets, especially after high‑profile attacks that test the nation’s protective services.