The shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security is expected to continue into next week as lawmakers in the House consider whether to approve a Senate-backed funding proposal they had earlier rejected. The proposed plan would restore funding for most of the department but leave out immigration enforcement agencies. As of Thursday, the standoff had stretched to 48 days with no resolution. Both the House and Senate held only brief pro forma sessions without taking meaningful action. However, Republican leaders and Donald Trump have begun aligning around a two-step strategy aimed at ending the impasse. This marks a shift after earlier disagreements that led Congress to leave for spring recess without a solution. During the Senate session, Majority Leader John Thune set aside a House proposal that would have funded the entire department temporarily for 60 days. Meanwhile, the House did not take up the bipartisan Senate bill, though Thune indicated he expects movement on it eventually. House Republicans were scheduled to discuss their next steps internally. Speaker Mike Johnson and Thune recently agreed to revisit the Senateโ€™s approach, which funds most DHS operations but excludes agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol. Republicans plan to attempt funding those separately through partisan legislation, a process that could take months.

The path forward remains uncertain. Some conservative Republicans are pushing for full funding of all immigration enforcement efforts and may oppose any compromise. At the same time, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticized Republicans, arguing their internal divisions delayed progress and hurt American families.

Looking ahead, Trump is seeking a broader budget package later this year that would secure long-term funding for immigration enforcement agencies through the end of his term. He has set a target of June 1 for that legislation to reach his desk.

Despite the shutdown, most DHS employees have continued working, though many went weeks without pay. Issues such as longer airport security lines emerged as Transportation Security Administration workers called out. However, conditions have begun improving after employees started receiving back pay following an executive order signed by Trump.

Overall, while leaders appear closer to a temporary solution, political divisions within Congress mean a final resolution is still not guaranteed.