WASHINGTON, D.C. — The fight continues over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency that it oversees.
DHS is currently funded only through this Friday, after President Trump agreed to separate it from a broader spending package that became law last week.
Democrats are slamming a counterproposal they received from the White House Monday evening, as negotiations over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reforms and DHS funding approach a critical deadline.
If the White House and congressional Democrats don’t strike a deal by Friday, then funding for DHS — and agencies like TSA and FEMA — would lapse, resulting in yet another partial government shutdown.
“The so-called White House counterproposal is woefully inadequate. It’s not a serious offer,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.
Democrats said Tuesday the counterproposal lacks serious details and is not anywhere close to where it needs to be on ICE reform.
“The White House is clearly not open to judicial warrants. They’re not open to detention center reform. They’re not open to independent investigations,” said Jeffries. “They’re not open to prohibiting the use of excessive force. They’re not open to the type of training that is needed in order to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not being used to brutalize American citizens, or in some cases kill them.”
Among other demands Democrats say are absent from the counterproposal, include stronger identification requirements for agents, new use-of-force standards, and a stop to racial profiling.
“What Democrats propose is the definition of common sense,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. “We simply want ICE to follow the same standards that most law enforcement agencies across America already follow.”
Republicans call many of the Democratic demands — including the unmasking of federal agents — unrealistic.
“The only reason that they’re wearing masks- it’s not because they want to- it’s because they’re for their own protection, the protection of their families,” said Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa.
“We do believe in making it easier, not harder, for law enforcement officials to do their job,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. “One thing Republicans are not interested in, obviously, is making it harder, not easier for dangerous illegal aliens in this country to be detained and deported.”
Meanwhile, acting ICE Director Todd Lyons faced questions from House lawmakers about recent events in Minneapolis and reforms for the agency.
“Mr. Lyons, will you apologize to the family of Renee Good for being called a domestic terrorist by the president and his leadership,” asked Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., during the House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Tuesday.
“No, sir,” Lyons replied.
“Will you apologize to the family of Alex Pretti for also being called a domestic terrorist,” asked Swalwell.
“So, again, I’m not going to speak to any ongoing investigation,” Lyons responded.
“Will you commit to immediately unmasking every agent, conducting immigration enforcement, and requiring them to wear standard uniforms with identifiable badges,” asked Rep. Timothy Kennedy, D-N.Y.
“No,” Lyons replied.
There is a chance lawmakers will pass another temporary funding measure, known as a continuing resolution, to maintain current funding levels for DHS.
“I’m a hard no on a continuing resolution. The Republicans are trying to stall for time,” said Jeffries.
“Our position is the Senate should pass the House-passed Homeland bill. We got it done. We did the work in the House, and I think they should get that through. Us offering a CR would be a concession that we don’t believe in that product, and that’s just simply not the case,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Tuesday.
