Republican Infighting Escalates Over DHS Shutdown Deadlock
Republicans in both the House and Senate are experiencing significant internal divisions this week as the party struggles to resolve a partial government shutdown without conceding ground to Democrats. The discord has intensified as lawmakers departed for a two-week recess without reaching a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, leading to public criticism from within their own ranks.
Senate Republicans Pressure Leadership to Act
In interviews, GOP senators have openly criticized their party's strategy, though they have avoided personal attacks on individual members. The growing discontent suggests that Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson are under mounting pressure to recall legislators to Washington, D.C., to break the impasse. Thune, in particular, faces some of the fiercest opposition from his own side since Donald Trump assumed office last year.
On Tuesday, Senator Mike Lee, a staunch Trump ally and conservative voice from Utah, took to social media to urge Thune to reconvene the Senate. Lee emphasized the need to fund DHS and pass the SAVE America Act, a voter ID bill that has become a priority for Trump ahead of the midterm elections. "The Senate should convene and remain in session until it has (1) fully funded DHS and (2) passed the SAVE America Act," Lee posted.
Conservatives Push for Filibuster Changes
Beyond funding DHS, conservative senators are advocating for the elimination or modification of the filibuster to secure Republican victories that could impact upcoming elections. Senators Tommy Tuberville and Rick Scott have joined Lee in calling for the Senate's return, with Scott stating, "This can't happen if we're on recess AND have a filibuster standing in the way. BRING THE SENATE BACK and BLOW UP the filibuster!"
House Leaders Criticize Senate Inaction
In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise have directed their frustration toward the Senate, blaming it for the recess decision without naming Thune directly. Johnson expressed outrage during a Fox and Friends interview, highlighting a Senate bill that proposed zero funding for border security and Customs and Immigration Enforcement. "We can't do that," he asserted, adding that the Senate must assist in funding the government to avoid harming real people.
Scalise echoed this sentiment on ABC's This Week, noting that the House had extended its session to pass a DHS funding bill, which now awaits Senate action. "The bill is over in the Senate. The Senate's got options. They've got to come back and deal with it," he said.
White House and Public Backlash Add Pressure
White House officials have not provided political cover for the Senate, with Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, criticizing lawmakers for being on vacation while DHS employees go unpaid. The shutdown's effects are becoming more visible, with long airport lines and rising gas prices due to Trump's conflict with Iran, further souring Republican midterm prospects.
Generic ballot polls show Republicans at a growing disadvantage as economic hardships mount and TSA worker shortages threaten air travel. Although the administration plans to redistribute funds to pay TSA staff, Democrats warn this may be illegal and subject to judicial intervention. Call-out rates among TSA workers have been climbing, risking temporary airport closures.
Media Scrutiny Highlights Lawmaker Absences
The issue has gained personal traction as media outlets like TMZ shift focus from celebrities to members of Congress enjoying vacations during the shutdown. Senators such as Lindsey Graham, spotted at Disney World, and Representative Robert Garcia, seen at a Las Vegas casino, have faced public shaming for being away while federal workers suffer financially.
This internal strife and external criticism underscore the deepening challenges for Republicans as they navigate the shutdown, with calls to cancel the spring break growing louder amid the political and public relations fallout.
