Partial Shutdown Looms Amid DHS Funding Standoff; Talks Between White House, Democrats Intensify
The United States is on the verge of another partial government shutdown, unless the Senate can pass the remaining six funding bills ahead of the Friday, January 30 deadline.
The main sticking is funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Senate Democrats say they will block the entire funding package, unless DHS funding is separate from the other five funding bills. They are demanding changes following the shooting death of VA nurse Alex Pretti in Minnesota by the U.S. Border Patrol. Changes Democrats want include an end to roving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) patrols, tighter rules for search warrants, requiring officers to wear body cameras, and additional accountability measures.
“After talking with my caucus, Senate Democrats are united on a set of common-sense and necessary policy goals that we need to rein in ICE and the violence,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Some Momentum in Talks Between Democrats, White House
Politico reports that Democrats are negotiating with the White House and that there is momentum, but no agreement yet.
The New York Times says there’s an emerging plan between Democrats and the White House where the DHS bill would be spun off from the other five. The Senate would then pass the other five and try to cobble together a continuing resolution for DHS, while more negotiations are held on bills to tighten restrictions on immigration enforcement procedures. Complicating matters is the fact that the House is not back in town until next week to ratify any changes to the funding bills it already passed.
Meanwhile, Senate Republican Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), has been reluctant to split off the DHS bill, insisting that the whole package pass together.
“We need to fund the government. We have a bill sitting in the Senate today that does that, that if we pick it up and pass it and put it on the president’s desk and all 12 appropriations bills will have been done this year,” said Senator Thune.
But others in the Republican caucus, including Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), say splitting the bill may ultimately be the best course forward to fund most of the government.
“I think a rational person would say let’s pass what we can and work on the others,” said Senator Kennedy.
Homan Speaks in Minnesota
Meanwhile, border czar Tom Homan gave a news conference upon his arrival in Minnesota, after he was sent to the state by President Trump to oversee operations.
Homan says progress has been made since he arrived and that he’s working on a federal law enforcement drawdown plan.
“The withdrawal of law enforcement resources here is dependent upon cooperation,” said Homan. “As we see that cooperation happen, then the redeployment will happen.”
Homan also noted that federal immigration officials will revert to conducting targeted operations of immigrations in the country illegally, in lieu of large groups of roving patrols.
“We’re not surrendering our mission at all. We’re just doing it smarter,” said Homan.
Meanwhile, the office of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) issued a statement saying, “Governor Walz met with Tom Homan this morning and reiterated Minnesota’s priorities: impartial investigations into the Minneapolis shootings involving federal agents, a swift, significant reduction in the number of federal forces in Minnesota, and an end to the campaign of retribution against Minnesota.”
Congressional Oversight
And Congress is also seeking more oversight over immigration enforcement.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow are scheduled to testify before the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees on February 10 and February 12 respectively.