WASHINGTON, D.C. – It’s been about a month since Congress partially shut down the government. They’re unable to reach an agreement on funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Tensions on Capitol Hill are starting to rise and the negotiations seem to be stalled on ICE reforms.
On Thursday, the Senate again tried to fund DHS but failed to reach the 60-vote threshold to advance the measure. It’s the fourth time the Senate voted down a measure to fully fund DHS.
“They’re only interested in keeping this issue alive for an election that is eight months away,” said Sen. John Thune (R- SD), Senate Majority Leader. “This is the political games Americans are sick of. I’m sick of it.”
The frustration is noticeable. Senate Republicans are pushing to pash the House-passed measure that would fund all of DHS, which they said makes changes that Democrats were advocating for.
“It had body cameras, deescalation training, and additional oversight on immigration enforcement activities but then Democrats reneged on that agreement,” said Leader Thune.
“Fund TSA, fund DHS but not give additional resources to ICE until they agree to the reforms,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in an interview ahead of that Thursday vote.
Democrats are looking for additional reforms to ICE following the administration’s immigration tactics in US cities. Before that Thursday vote, Senate Democrats tried to move forward with more narrow funding bills that would fund specific agencies like TSA, the Coast Guard, FEMA, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency but Republicans rejected those requests. Republicans want to move forward with funding all of what DHS covers.
The partial shutdown has left many agencies operating without funding, leaving thousands of employees without paychecks. The partial shutdown has led to longer lines at TSA checkpoints, causing frustration among travelers. Senator Gillibrand said she understands the hardship this puts workers in those agencies.
“I know its deeply painful for the people who are directly affected and for the flying public but we are asked by our constituents to fight back against what President Trump is doing right now,” said Sen. Gillibrand. “Especially what he’s done to Americans with the use of ICE.”
