Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., waits to speak to reporters following a closed-door meeting with fellow Democrats on Wednesday.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
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J. Scott Applewhite/AP
With the government on the brink of a partial shutdown, the Senate is scrambling to keep funding flowing and address bipartisan distress over President Trump’s immigration enforcement tactics.
But even with an agreement to fund the government, a short-term partial shutdown appears all but inevitable. The Senate still needs to vote on a plan announced by Senate Democrats, and then the House, which is in recess until Monday, needs to sign off, too.
The agreement reached Thursday night and endorsed by President Trump will fund much of the government through the end of September and temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks while lawmakers negotiate provisions to rein in federal immigration agents.
Just a week ago, Congress was on track to approve nearly $1.3 trillion in spending for defense, health, transportation, housing and more before government funding expires Friday at midnight.
But the second deadly shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis by federal immigration officers on Saturday upended those plans, as Democrats pledged to withhold support for the funding package without policy changes on immigration enforcement.
And unlike the shutdown standoff last fall over expiring health insurance subsidies, more Republicans acknowledged that what was unfolding in Minneapolis was an inflection point that could not be ignored.
Democrats are demanding changes to how immigration officers carry out arrests and incidents are investigated, as well as mandating the use of body cameras and other reforms.
Some of the recommendations could attract Republican support. But there is still an arduous road ahead for any of them becoming law.
Why some Republicans are alarmed
In an era when congressional Republicans rarely criticize the Trump Administration, the killing of 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis sparked unease from unexpected corners of the caucus.
“Initial rushes to judgment did not meet the standard that Americans should expect from their government officials,” Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., wrote on social media, referring to remarks by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and others who had swiftly labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist.”
“Enforcing our immigration laws makes our streets safer. It also protects our national security,” Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., wrote in a statement the day after the shooting. “But we must also maintain our core values as a nation, including the right to protest and assemble.”
Several Republicans called for hearings and an independent investigation; DHS leaders are expected to testify in back-to-back oversight hearings next month and Noem is now due to testify in March. Sens.
Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Thom Tillis, who have been vocal critics of Trump, have called for her resignation. Tillis expressed concern that the images from Minneapolis were tarnishing the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Despite initial reluctance, key Republicans eventually softened their stance on splitting the homeland security funding bill from the overall spending package. Senator Katie Britt expressed openness to this approach. However, divisions persist within the Republican party, with Senator Markwayne Mullin emphasizing the importance of allowing ICE to carry out their duties. James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma who serves on the homeland security committee, stated that he believes no further policy changes are necessary. He mentioned that the current DHS funding bill already includes additional funding for body cameras and oversight, so he does not see a need for additional changes.
On the other hand, Democrats are pushing for reforms in light of recent events, such as the death of Pretti. They are advocating for changes in three main areas: rules regarding warrants for immigration officers entering homes, an end to “roving patrols,” and increased oversight and accountability for ICE and other federal enforcement agencies.
Specifically, Democrats want to limit the use of administrative warrants in favor of judicial warrants, make it easier to hold immigration officers accountable through legal action, and ensure independent investigations into misconduct. They are concerned about the lack of oversight within the DHS and ICE, particularly in cases where these agencies are investigating themselves in incidents of deadly force.
In response to incidents like the shooting of Renee Macklin Good, where an ICE officer was involved, the FBI and ICE have announced separate investigations rather than conducting a joint investigation with state officials. This decision has sparked criticism from local officials, including Minnesota’s Democratic Governor. Tim Walz argues that the investigation may not be fair as agency leaders were already defending the officers’ conduct. Democrats are pushing for agents to display clearer identification, not cover their faces, and wear body cameras. On the other hand, DHS leaders have defended the use of masks citing increased threats of doxxing and physical harm to identified agents and their families.
The focus on body camera requirements has intensified after the two shootings in Minneapolis. DHS has previously stated that they do not have enough body cameras for every agent. The current version of the DHS spending bill includes $20 million for cameras for ICE and Customs and Border Protection, but it only mandates the allocation of funds, not the actual use of the cameras.
Senator Blumenthal emphasized that funding body cameras without ensuring their use is ineffective. Democrats feel emboldened after a recent shutdown, with many willing to take on the risk of another to address concerns about ICE and Trump’s actions. Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada expressed that fighting for reforms aligns with the desires of the American people. Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, was an early advocate for his colleagues to oppose homeland security funding. His stance on the issue was clear and unwavering, urging others to consider the implications of such funding on national security.
Drew Hammill, a former aide to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, emphasized the importance of the debate over ICE tactics, highlighting its direct impact on communities across the country. He noted that this issue resonates with voters on a personal level, unlike debates over distant border walls.
Antonia Ferrier, a Republican with experience on Capitol Hill, reflected on past shutdown standoffs and described them as unwinnable situations. However, she acknowledged that the current political climate is different, with heightened emotions and a sense of urgency for change.
Overall, the article delves into the complexities of the current political landscape, emphasizing the significance of the homeland security funding debate and its broader implications for the country. The following is a revised version of the text:
“The cat chased the mouse around the house.” document in a more professional tone.
Please find attached the revised document for your review.
