Trump Pressures Congress to Return as DHS Shutdown Drags On
Donald Trump is urging Congress to cut short its recess and return to Washington to resolve the ongoing funding crisis for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as the partial government shutdown stretches beyond 40 days.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president has repeatedly called on lawmakers to come back and pass funding legislation, even suggesting he would host an Easter dinner at the White House if Congress returns to address the issue.
Lawmakers left Washington last week without reaching an agreement, extending what has become the longest partial shutdown in U.S. history. Both chambers remain in recess until mid-April, with no immediate signs of compromise.
Efforts to resolve the impasse have so far failed. The Senate passed a funding bill that excluded key agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and parts of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). However, House Republicans rejected the proposal, instead approving a short-term 60-day funding plan for the entire department.
The disagreement has left several DHS agencies without funding, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and civilian personnel within the Coast Guard. Thousands of employees remain unpaid.
Amid growing pressure, Trump signed a memorandum directing DHS to coordinate with the White House budget office to temporarily fund Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers. Some TSA officers have since received partial paychecks after weeks without income.
However, officials acknowledge that the measure is only a short-term solution. “The president just can’t keep signing memorandums every time Congress fails to act,” Leavitt said, emphasizing the need for a permanent legislative fix.
Democrats and Republicans remain sharply divided over the funding bill. Democrats are demanding reforms to immigration enforcement agencies following recent controversial incidents, while Republicans insist that full funding for border security and enforcement must be included.
Chris Coons argued that recalling Congress would not resolve the dispute, stating that the Senate had already reached a consensus on its proposal.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the Republican stance, saying lawmakers cannot risk underfunding agencies responsible for national security.
As political gridlock continues, the shutdown is increasingly impacting government operations, airport security, and the livelihoods of thousands of federal workers — with no clear resolution in sight.
