Senate Fight Over DHS Funding Intensifies

Clear Facts

• Senator Ron Johnson is calling for the Senate to eliminate the 60-vote filibuster threshold.
• Johnson said Democrats are blocking Department of Homeland Security funding amid the budget standoff.
• He suggested using reconciliation to keep DHS and border security funded through fiscal year 2029.

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson argued that legislative gridlock is preventing action on border security and national defense priorities. He said Democrats are refusing to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the ongoing budget fight.

Johnson warned that Democrats would likely eliminate the filibuster if they regain control of the chamber. He said keeping the current rules only helps those who want to block security measures.

“The split in the Senate, in terms of a filibuster, is [between] those of us who believe that Democrats will [get rid of] it next time they have the power, and those who are hoping beyond hope that they won’t.”

The senator said reconciliation could be used to speed up critical funding for the Department of Homeland Security. He said that would allow Republicans to bypass the 60-vote requirement and address security concerns more quickly.

“Let’s get as much DHS funding as possible, move to reconciliation, pass a reconciliation bill focused on DHS funding through fiscal year 2029, and then be ready for another reconciliation to fund the rest of government, starting in October, when Democrats obstruct the regular order appropriation process,” he said.

Johnson said he does not yet have full support from his caucus to end the rule. He argued the Senate is failing the American people by leaving key security agencies underfunded.

“My colleagues [say] ‘We don’t want to be responsible for breaking the Senate.’ How could it be much more broken?”

“When we’re at war with Iran… They might possibly have sleeper cells here in this country. We can’t even fund the very agency designed to keep our homeland safe. I don’t see how it could get much worse. So I’m for ending the 60-vote threshold and ending the filibuster.”

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