Republicans Reach Deal to End Record‑Long DHS Shutdown

House and Senate Republican leaders announced a two‑track plan to fund the Department of Homeland Security, aiming to halt a shutdown that has stretched beyond six weeks—the longest partial closure in U.S. history. The agreement would restore full funding, ending the furlough of tens of thousands of federal workers and the chaotic delays that have plagued airport security checkpoints.

Key developments
- The joint proposal, crafted by Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, still requires formal votes in both chambers. A “pro forma” vote on Thursday left the House without action, pushing any vote to after the congressional recess, likely April 14.
- While the administration plans to use emergency funds to pay TSA staff, many civilian employees at Customs and Border Protection, ICE and other DHS components continue to work without pay, reporting financial strain and low morale.
- Congressional insiders note that House Republicans rejected the Senate’s version earlier, opting for a 60‑day funding bill that Democrats vowed to filibuster.

If passed, the deal would finally end the shutdown that has disrupted travel, left thousands of workers unpaid, and intensified criticism of both legislative leaders and the Trump administration’s handling of the crisis.