WASHINGTON (TNND) — Democrats and Republicans still appear to be a long way off from a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
The Friday deadline was a result of a two-week extension to give lawmakers time to negotiate an agreement. (TNND)
Legislation for the agency has been held up following the passage of bills to fund the rest of the government and a list of demands from Democrats.
On Sunday, in an appearance on “Sunday Morning Futures” on Fox News, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., made this prediction.
“If I had to say now, I would probably expect that there’s going to be a shutdown,” he said.
The Friday deadline was a result of a two-week extension to give lawmakers time to negotiate an agreement.
On CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., the House Minority Leader, said, “Immigration enforcement should be fair, it should be just, and it should be humane, so dramatic changes are necessary.”
Those “dramatic changes” include a list of demands from Democrats, who want to prohibit ICE agents from wearing masks to shield their identity and for state law enforcement agencies to be able to investigate incidents in which federal agents are accused to using excessive force. Democrats also want to require law enforcement officers to use body cameras and to make it so judicial warrants must be obtained before Immigration officers go into someone’s home to make an arrest. This demand has generated widespread pushback from Republicans.
“If we allow judges to be the roadblock, it doesn’t keep our community safe,” said Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, in an interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
“Administrative warrants work. I want to give law enforcement every tool they need to go out and apprehend these convicted criminals that are loose in our community,” he added.
On one hand, this lone spending bill, which has yet to pass, is about funding for the Department of Homeland Security. On the other hand, the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill last summer funneled tens of billions to immigration enforcement efforts, which means agencies like ICE and CBP will not be as affected if an agreement is not reached.
Instead, other components of the agency could be impacted in a major way, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Coast Guard.
In an interview with The National News Desk on Wednesday. Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla., slammed Democrats for their demands.
“If they want to go through the pain and suffering of not being able to board your airplane, having the safety and security of our country jeopardized, this is exactly what they’re gambling with,” Patronis said.
But Democrats say the fatal shootings by federal agents of two Americans in Minnesota last month sparked a need for immediate change.
They are pushing for those changes in the form of new legislation and if it passes, Democratic leaders insist they will then lend their support to the new funding for DHS.
National Headline
