Johnson downplays divide with Thune

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was pressed Friday on the apparent divide between him and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) over a Senate-passed bill to reopen most of the Homeland Security Department.

"I wouldn't call John Thune the engineer of this," the speaker told reporters. "Chuck Schumer and the Democrats in the Senate have forced this upon the Senate. I have to protect the House."

After a weekslong standoff, the Senate decided to punt the fight over potential reforms to immigration enforcement to the reconciliation process and approve a bill to fund all of DHS except Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Speaker Johnson rejected the bill — which passed the Senate with unanimous support — and said House Republicans would attempt to pass a different measure to fund the entire department through May 22.

The bill's fate is unclear in the House and has no chance of passing in the Senate, which has already left town for a two-week recess — meaning the shutdown will continue to drag on.

Speaker Johnson said President Trump — who signed an executive order Friday to ensure TSA agents are paid regardless of congressional action — supports the House plan.

"I spoke to the president a few moments ago. He understands exactly what we're doing and why, and he supports it," the speaker said.

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