DHS Reopened: The House approved a bill by voice vote to fund all of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) except its immigration enforcement agencies, ending the longest agency shutdown in U.S. history. The shutdown has lasted more than 10 weeks, with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin warning that the agency would soon run out of money to pay its employees. While House Republicans have opposed passing the Senate-approved bill, arguing that it should include funding for immigration enforcement agencies, House Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly faced pressure from the White House and some House Republican lawmakers to pass it before the chamber leaves town for a weeklong recess. President Trump is expected to quickly sign the bill into law.
Reconciliation Update: House Republicans voted 214-212-1 to approve the Senate’s budget reconciliation blueprint, unlocking the ability to draft and pass a reconciliation package containing up to $70 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Advancing the reconciliation package brings Republicans one step closer to meeting President Trump’s June 1 deadline for sending an immigration enforcement funding package to his desk.
Reconciliation 3.0: Congressional Republicans continue to deliberate on a potential third budget reconciliation package to address energy and cost-of-living issues. However, lack of time and political will could prevent Republicans from passing a third budget reconciliation law before the end of the 119th Congress.
Housing Legislation: President Trump signaled to House Republicans that he wants stalled housing legislation to move forward. House Financial Services Chair French Hill (R-AR) and Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA) are working to reconcile the differences between the House’s Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644) and the Senate’s 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act bills, with a House floor vote potentially coming as soon as the week of May 11 or 18.
Farm Bill: The House passed its farm bill (H.R.7567) in a 224-200 vote. 14 Democrats joined Republicans in support, while only three Republicans opposed the bill. The farm bill, typically renewed every five or six years, extends and updates agricultural and food programs, including farm commodity revenue supports, agricultural conservation, rural development, forestry, and domestic nutrition assistance. Democrats have criticized the bill for failing to restore SNAP funding cuts under the Republicans’ last reconciliation package (H.R. 1). Meanwhile, Republicans have emphasized that the bill does not increase net direct spending, though the bill could cost approximately $15.8 billion between 2026 and 2031 if fully funded. Given the partisan divisions and the few remaining DC work periods, the bill is not expected to advance in the Senate.
Trump Administration:
FEMA Review Council: The final meeting of the FEMA Review Council was confirmed for May 7 after the previous meeting was canceled. The White House abruptly postponed the final meeting of the Trump-created FEMA Review Council about two hours before it was set to begin in December 2025. The council was expected to vote on a draft report recommending sweeping changes to FEMA.
Railroad Crossing Elimination NOFO: Transportation Secretary Duffy announced $1.1 billion in available funding for projects that build overpasses or underpasses, upgrade safety technology at crossings, relocate tracks in order to close a grade crossing, and educate Americans on how to cross train tracks safely.
The Week’s News:
Louisiana governor postpones House primaries after Supreme Court ruling (Roll Call)
Powell vows he won’t be a ‘shadow chair,’ but a Warsh clash will be tough to avoid (CNBC)
Maine Gov. Janet Mills suspends Senate campaign, clearing Democratic path for Graham Platner (NBC News)
