Senate negotiators are nearing a compromise that would provide funding for most of the Department of Homeland Security and end a partial government shutdown now in its sixth week, which has disrupted air travel across the country.
A delegation of Senate Republicans left a Monday evening meeting at the White House with President Trump and told reporters they were optimistic a deal could be reached. Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, when asked if Republicans had found a solution, replied, “We do.”
Lawmakers said they hoped to complete legislative language and clear the impasse by the end of the week. Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine said late Monday night that he was still waiting for written details.
“We’re waiting to see something in writing to see exactly what the proposal is,” King told reporters, per CBS News. “So I’m hopeful that we can get through this and fund these agencies.”
Under the emerging plan, money would flow to most DHS components, such as the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Coast Guard. Funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s deportation operations would be excluded from that measure. Republicans would then try to secure the ICE funding, along with selected provisions of the SAVE America Act on elections, through the budget reconciliation process.
Reconciliation lets the majority party pass certain bills without the 60 votes normally needed in the Senate, but only if the provisions have direct budget effects.
The Department of Homeland Security has been partially shut down since February 14.
The latest progress came after Trump had insisted earlier on Monday that any funding bill must also include the SAVE America Act. Following the White House session with Sens. Steve Daines of Montana, Bernie Moreno of Ohio, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Britt, participants said a workable approach now seemed possible.
Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins of Maine, the lead Republican on spending issues, left the Capitol saying she felt more positive about a quick resolution.
“I’m more optimistic that by the end of the week we will fund the Department of Homeland Security,” Collins said, CBS reported.
