Cracks emerge in GOP support for Trump’s agenda Republicans on Capitol Hill are increasingly resisting President Donald Trump’s policy initiatives, signaling a shift in the party’s alignment despite his continued influence. While no outright rebellion has occurred, several key legislative and procedural battles highlight growing tensions within the GOP. The House of Representatives recently passed a resolution urging Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the Iran war, with the backing of four Republicans. This marks a notable departure from the party’s traditional unity, as some Senate Republicans have also begun to challenge two of Trump’s major proposals involving taxpayer funds. One of these proposals centers on an “anti-weaponization” fund, which Trump initially sought to establish to cover legal expenses for individuals he claimed were wrongfully prosecuted. The plan, which involved settling with his own Justice Department, faced opposition from several Senate Republicans. Similarly, Trump’s push for funding for the White House ballroom—a project he insisted would be privately financed—was met with resistance. Senate Republicans quietly removed the funding from a budget bill after determining it violated procedural rules, signaling their discomfort with the proposal. The resistance extends to Trump’s judicial nominations. Senators have pushed back against his picks for key positions, including Bill Pulte for national intelligence director and Todd Blanche for attorney general. The opposition has been particularly pronounced among senators facing re-election challenges. For instance, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Jon Husted of Ohio, and Dan Sullivan of Alaska—all running in competitive races—voted with Democrats to block the “anti-weaponization” fund.#donald_trump #senate_republicans #todd_blanche #house_of_republicans #bill_pulte
DHS Shutdown Drags Into New Week. Where Things Stand The U.S. Department of Homeland Security remains partially shut down as another Monday passes, with Congress still deadlocked over funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol. The shutdown, which began on February 14, 2026, has become the longest funding lapse ever recorded for a single federal department. The impasse follows the killings of two Minnesotans by federal officers in January, which intensified debates over immigration enforcement policies. Last week, Senate Republicans approved a federal budget blueprint allowing “not more than $70 billion” to fund ICE and Border Patrol. The legislation passed in a 50-48 vote, despite bipartisan opposition from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who joined Democrats in voting against it. The GOP’s approval of the measure cleared a key hurdle toward fully funding DHS again. However, Democrats have expressed support for funding DHS but oppose funding ICE and Border Patrol without additional oversight. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., criticized the vote on social media, calling it “a bad night for the rule of law.” Tensions escalated further after shots were fired at the White House Press Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C., on April 25. Some lawmakers cited the incident as a reason to fully fund DHS. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., urged his Democratic colleagues to support full funding for the agency, stating, “It is long past time to fully fund DHS, as the threats against our country are growing exponentially.” The House is set to convene on Monday, April 27, with no legislation related to the DHS shutdown on the agenda. The Senate is scheduled to meet at 3 p.m. that day.#chuck_schumer #border_patrol #senate_republicans #immigration_and_customs_enforcement #us_department_of_homeland_security
U.S. airports adjusting arrival time recommendations for travelers amid ongoing security delays Travelers are being urged to arrive at major U.S. airports significantly earlier than usual due to persistent delays and staffing shortages at security checkpoints. Four-hour wait times were reported Tuesday at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, prompting airports in Atlanta, Austin, Texas, Philadelphia, Newark, New York City, and San Diego to advise passengers to arrive up to four hours before their flights. The chaos at airports has been exacerbated by a combination of factors, including TSA staffing shortages, the deployment of ICE agents, and a fatal runway collision at LaGuardia Airport. These issues have led to canceled and missed flights, extended security lines, and heightened uncertainty for passengers. While most of the 23 major U.S. airports recommend arriving two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international travel, seven airports—serving an average of 450,000 departing travelers daily—now advise arriving between 2.5 and four hours in advance. Many of the affected airports have also deployed ICE agents to assist with security operations. However, some airports did not respond to requests for comment. Experts recommend arriving three hours early to avoid delays, citing the unpredictable nature of current conditions. The ongoing turmoil is linked to a partial government shutdown that began on February 14, leaving the Department of Homeland Security without funding. TSA workers, who are part of DHS, have been operating without pay since the shutdown. Over 400 TSA employees have resigned, and many have missed their first full paycheck in mid-March, leading to widespread absences.#hartsfieldjackson_atlanta_international_airport #texas_austin #george_bush_intercontinental_airport #senate_republicans #texas_houston
