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MARY CLARE JALONICK and LISA MASCARO.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., arrives for the Senate Prayer Breakfast, at the Capitol in Washington, early Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

A Homeland Security shutdown grows more likely as Republicans rebuff Democratic demands for ICE

February 5, 2026

Senate Majority Leader John Thune says Democrats’ demands for new restrictions on federal immigration officers are “unrealistic.” And he’s warning that the Department of Homeland Security will shut down next week if Democrats don’t work with Republicans and the White House. Democrats are pressing for changes at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal law enforcement agencies in the wake of the fatal shootings of two protesters in Minneapolis last month. The Democratic congressional leaders have come out with an expanded list of 10 detailed proposals. Short-term funding for DHS lasts through Feb. 13.

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Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Trump ignites debate on presidential authority with Iran strikes and wins praise from Republicans

June 21, 2025

President Donald Trump’s bombardment of three sites in Iran has quickly sparked debate in Congress over his authority to launch the strikes, with Republicans praising Trump for decisive action even as many Democrats warned he should have sought congressional approval. The response came after Trump had publicly mulled the strikes for days and many congressional Republicans had cautiously said they thought he would make the right decision. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Saturday evening that “as we take action tonight to ensure a nuclear weapon remains out of reach for Iran, I stand with President Trump and pray for the American troops and personnel in harm’s way.”

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