Trump forces border agenda
President Trump is pushing Congress to prioritize border security and fund DHS, even pressing to end scheduled recesses to force votes (x.com). Critics say GOP leaders control branches yet haven’t codified Trump executive orders, passed the SAVE Act, or reformed filibusters and appointments — fueling fresh gridlock complaints (x.com).
The partial DHS funding lapse began Feb. 14, 2026, and reached roughly 42 days by March 27 as lawmakers prepared to leave for a two‑week spring recess that began March 30. (usatoday.com)) White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump urged Congress to cut that two‑week recess short and return to vote on DHS funding. (abcnews.com)) The House approved a 60‑day stopgap to fund DHS on March 27 in a 213‑203 vote, while the Senate separately approved a different package to fund most DHS components — the mismatch led the House to reject the Senate bill and prolonged the impasse. (cbsnews.com)) As the shutdown dragged on, the White House issued an executive order to pay Transportation Security Administration agents during the lapse, a step administration officials said would ease airport disruptions but not end the funding fight. (cnbc.com)) The SAVE America Act (H.R.22) cleared the House earlier this year and was taken up for Senate debate beginning March 17, but senators face a 60‑vote hurdle and Trump publicly warned he would not sign other bills until the SAVE Act passes. (congress.gov)) Republican unity has fractured over procedural fixes: President Trump has called for ending or altering the filibuster to clear legislation, even as Senate GOP leaders such as John Thune have resisted changes, and Speaker Mike Johnson has said the House is working to codify roughly 150 of the president’s executive orders — a list critics note remains largely unlegislated. (time.com))
