Senate Passes Partial DHS Funding; Iran Energy Strike Pause Extended

The Senate approved a partial funding package for the Department of Homeland Security early Friday morning, covering most agencies but leaving out immigration enforcement operations. The measure now heads to the House, which is expected to vote on it on Friday, just before lawmakers depart for a two-week Easter recess. President Donald Trump is extending his pause of strikes on Iranian energy plants by 10 more days. That’s as he declares the Iranian regime is “begging” to make a deal with the United States, saying its military has “zero” chance of a comeback. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicts that energy prices and inflation will be lower after the end of Operation Epic Fury and is confident shipping traffic will continue to increase daily, even before the United States secures the Strait of Hormuz. Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined his G7 counterparts on Friday for a summit in France. Rubio is attending the second day of the gathering of ministers of leading Western democracies. The sit-down is being held in a 12th-century abbey near Paris. European powers accused Russia of helping Iran target U.S. forces in the Iran war during the meeting’s first day. Washington’s partners are also hoping to get greater clarity on U.S. and Israeli military operations. —

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