politics
March 31, 2026
DHS shutdown stress-tests Thune's relationship with Mike Johnson
A partial government shutdown is driving a new wedge between Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and his House counterpart, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), as Republicans struggle to find a way to reopen the Department of Homeland Security.
TL;DR
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson are in disagreement over how to reopen the Department of Homeland Security amid a partial government shutdown.
- Thune supported a deal that would leave Immigration and Customs Enforcement unfunded initially, while Johnson and the House passed an eight-week patch funding all of DHS.
- The differing strategies have led to accusations of Republican infighting, with Democrats eager to point to the division.
- This dispute is straining cross-chamber Republican relations and is occurring while both chambers are on recess, extending the shutdown.
- The White House supports the House's position on DHS funding and has urged lawmakers to return to Washington to fully reopen the department.
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