DHS Workers Brace for Another Shutdown as Deadline Looms
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expires on February 13, meaning DHS employees could be in for yet another shutdown starting Valentine’s Day.
Should DHS shut down, the majority of the 260,000 strong workforce would have to report on the job without pay until the shutdown is resolved. That includes frontline law enforcement, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers, U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other employees.
Immigration Enforcement Tactics at Heart of Disagreement
The core disagreement between Republicans and Democrats remains immigration enforcement policy. Following the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers in Minnesota, Democrats are using the shutdown to force changes in immigration policy.
Among the more controversial provisions on the Democrats’ wish list are limitations on federal officers wearing masks and tightening requirements surrounding the judicial warrants used to make immigration-related arrests.
“Dramatic changes are needed at the Department of Homeland Security before a DHS funding bill moves forward. Period. Full stop,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
But Republicans have no plans to back down either, especially those close to President Trump.
“We’re now going on offense,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who watched the Super Bowl with the president. “President Trump sent [border czar] Tom Homan to Minnesota to turn down the heat. That was a good decision. But the idea that we’re going to abandon the campaign promises of President Trump on immigration is not accurate.”
Calendar Complications
Complicating matters further is the fact that both houses of Congress are on recess next week, and a number of members are scheduled to travel to Germany for the annual Munich Security Conference.
This is leading to the increasing belief that either a shutdown or a brief funding extension is inevitable.
“I absolutely would expect that it’s going to shut down,” said Senator John Fetterman (D-PA).
And members of the Democratic caucus, including Senator Angus King (I-ME), who voted to end the record-setting shutdown in 2025, say they’re hesitant to back an extension this time.
“What ICE is doing is unconscionable, and it’s got to be reined in. I can’t, in good conscience, vote for it,” Senator King told NBC News. “I would feel complicit in what they are doing.”
But Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), chairman of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, sees a path forward.
“I would like to see a four-to-six-week [continuing resolution]. They may want to do another two weeks, which will [put us] right back in the same spot in two weeks,” said Senator Mullin.