White House and Democrats Reach Stalemate Over DHS Funding as Shutdown Deadline Approaches
Key Facts
- DHS funding is set to expire on February 13, threatening a partial government shutdown.
- Democrats are demanding judicial warrants, officer identification, and use-of-force reforms.
- The White House and Republican leadership have labeled judicial warrants a 'nonstarter.'
- Two people, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, were fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis in January.
- ICE and CBP would likely remain funded through a shutdown due to $70 billion in previously allocated funds.
- The House Committee on Homeland Security is scheduled to hear testimony from ICE and CBP officials on Tuesday.
The Department of Homeland Security faces a partial government shutdown starting Saturday as the White House and Democratic leaders remain deadlocked over proposed restrictions on federal immigration enforcement. Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries rejected a White House counterproposal late Monday, describing the offer as "incomplete and insufficient." The proposal, which was not released publicly, reportedly failed to include legislative text or address concerns regarding the conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Democrats are demanding a requirement for judicial warrants for arrests, the removal of face masks for officers, and new use-of-force standards following the fatal shootings of two individuals by federal agents in Minneapolis last month.
Administration allies have identified the demand for judicial warrants as a "red line," with sources describing the proposal as a "complete nonstarter" for the White House. Republicans argue that removing masks would subject agents to "doxxing" and physical risk, while Democrats contend the measures are necessary to align ICE with standard law enforcement practices. While Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed optimism about "forward progress" earlier Monday, rank-and-file skepticism persists in both parties regarding a compromise on immigration enforcement.
A funding lapse would affect the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Coast Guard. However, ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would likely remain operational due to more than $70 billion in separate funds allocated in a previous spending bill. Senate leaders are considering another short-term extension to allow for continued negotiations, though House Democratic leadership has indicated resistance to further funding without significant enforcement changes.
Historical Context
The current negotiations follow the January 24 shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a U.S. Border Patrol officer and the January 7 shooting of Renee Good by ICE agents, both in Minneapolis. These events prompted a list of demands from Democrats to overhaul DHS operations, which were separated from a larger spending package signed last week that only funded the department through February 13.
Perspective Analysis
Sources: Associated Press · The Guardian · Fox News · Politico · NPR · The Hill | Aggregators: Economic Monitor
Always verify important information with primary sources.