WASHINGTON, D.C. – Thursday evening, Senate Democrats reached a deal with the Trump administration on funding for the Homeland Security Department. According to a Senate office, the deal would separate funding for DHS from the appropriations package and move forward with a short-term continuing resolution for DHS until final negotiations are agreed to.
Earlier in the day, Democrats and a handful of Republicans blocked a funding package as negotiations continue in a Homeland Security reforms deal. Republicans said this could lead to a partial government shutdown, but Democrats said they had to make a statement to get ICE reforms.
Democrats kept their word on opposing a combined six-bill spending package, which funds a handful of departments including Defense, Transportation and Homeland Security, to name a few. The initial test vote needed 60 “yes” votes to advance to a final vote but it fell short by about 15 votes.
Republicans said not moving forward with these bills could have big consequences in a partial shutdown.
“No funding for FEMA,” said Sen. John Barrasso (R- WY). “A shutdown would mean no paychecks for our troops. Once again, no money for TSA agents or air traffic controllers. This is the time the country is trying to get back on the move again.”
Since this weekend’s fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis resident, Democrats have called on republicans to separate the funding for DHS.
“You separate the bill out and then we can have a real conversation,” said Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D- MI). “You better believe my colleagues would be losing their ever-loving minds if a Democratic president were doing this in some Republican-run city. Losing their minds. So, we need accountability for the people behind this, but we also need fundamental reforms of ICE.”
Senate Democrats are calling for these three reforms for ICE:
“First, end the roving patrols,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D- NY). “Second, enforce accountability and third, masks off body cameras on. Each officer must have visible, visible.”
Ahead of the initial vote, Sen. John Thune (R- SD), Majority Leader, said negotiations are trending in the right direction.
“I think there, there are discussions going on between the Senate Democrats and the White House,” said Sen. Thune ahead of the initial vote. “Hopefully that’ll land soon but right now I think it’s still a bit of work in progress.”
