Republicans Plan to Fund Homeland Security Through Reconciliation to Bypass Congress

Key Points

• Republicans plan to use reconciliation to fund entire Homeland Security Department for three years
• Would bypass traditional Congressional appropriations process
• Reconciliation is filibuster-proof, avoiding Democratic opposition
• Latest example of Congress surrendering budgetary power to the White House

Full Details

Republicans are developing an emerging strategy to use the complex budget reconciliation process to fund the entire Department of Homeland Security for the remainder of President Trump's tenure, bypassing traditional Congressional appropriations procedures. Using reconciliation to fund an entire department would be a significant departure from standard Congressional practice, which typically involves passing individual appropriations bills. The reconciliation process is filibuster-proof, allowing Republicans to avoid Democratic opposition in the Senate. This approach represents what critics describe as another example of Congress ceding its central power of the purse to the White House. The plan would provide funding for Homeland Security for the next three years without the standard Congressional oversight and debate process.