Lawmakers remain at odds over funding for the Department of Homeland Security as a Friday deadline approaches that could trigger a partial government shutdown, according to DHS officials.
Democrats have pushed for restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of negotiations over the DHS funding bill. Among the proposed conditions are limits on ICE enforcement activities, including prohibitions on wearing masks during operations and barring immigration enforcement at locations such as schools, courts, and polling places.
Republicans argue that the debate is largely symbolic when it comes to ICE’s core funding.
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Under the One Big Beautiful Bill passed last year, ICE received significant funding to carry out its mission, potentially insulating the agency from the immediate effects of a lapse in DHS appropriations.
Other agencies within DHS, however, could face operational disruptions if a stopgap measure or extension is not approved by the deadline.
Those agencies include the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Transportation Security Administration, and the U.S. Secret Service, all of which fall under the DHS umbrella.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) sharply criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and other Democrats over their demands tied to ICE funding.
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“The Karen wing of the Democratic Party wants to defund ICE, just like they wanted to defund the police,” Kennedy said.
“And we know how that vampire movie turned out. The Karen wing of the Democratic Party is in control of the Democratic Party. Even if we agreed to every one of Sen. Schumer’s conditions – and I wouldn’t vote for ’em – he couldn’t deliver the Democratic votes. Because the Karen wing will punish any Democrat who votes to keep the DHS open.”
Kennedy suggested that Schumer would struggle to secure enough support within his own caucus to pass a funding measure, even if Republicans accepted Democratic conditions.
He described Schumer as “wandering around” like a “Roomba, looking like a man who has just lost his luggage,” and added that Schumer “couldn’t deliver the votes” even if Republicans agreed to the proposed terms. “And we wouldn’t agree anyway,” Kennedy said.
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The dispute over DHS funding has also involved debate over ICE’s operational policies. DHS agreed to implement body cameras for ICE officers, but some Democrats later raised concerns about how the footage would be used.
After DHS announced the body camera agreement, Democrats characterized it as “mass surveillance” and called for additional restrictions to protect privacy.
The funding impasse has placed pressure on both parties as the deadline approaches.
Without a continuing resolution or other legislative action, DHS officials have warned that certain operations could be curtailed in the event of a partial shutdown.
Republicans maintain that ICE’s funding under the previously enacted legislation provides a financial cushion for the agency’s enforcement work.
The broader consequences of a shutdown, they argue, would be felt more acutely by other DHS components responsible for disaster response, airport security, and protective services.
As negotiations continue, the outcome remains uncertain, with both parties holding firm on their positions regarding ICE restrictions and DHS funding levels.
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