House Democrats are making it clear: a quick two-week continuing resolution (CR) to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) without meaningful reforms isn’t on the table. This is not just a matter of budgetary housekeeping; it’s about the very principles of accountability and civil rights.
During an appearance on ABC’s This Week, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries articulated the Democratic stance, emphasizing the urgent need for reform within DHS. He declared:
“The Department of Homeland Security requires significant reform. This sentiment is echoed by Leader Schumer and our Senate colleagues in various forms. Body cameras must be compulsory, and masks should come off. Judicial warrants must be mandatory under the Constitution before DHS or ICE agents can invade the privacy of American homes or forcibly remove individuals from their vehicles.”
“We must ensure comprehensive and independent investigations occur when ICE or DHS agents violate the law. It should not fall solely to the Department of Justice—an entity we believe lacks the motivation for an impartial investigation—but rather to state and local authorities.”
“Moreover, the detention and deportation of American citizens must be off the table, and the use of taxpayer funds to harm everyday citizens or aggressively target law-abiding immigrant families is unacceptable.”
Jeffries previously informed Speaker Johnson that Democrats would support suspending the rules to facilitate the passage of the CR through unanimous consent. However, it appears the party is standing firm.
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John Bresnahan from Punchbowl News reported on a recent House Democratic Caucus call, where Jeffries reiterated his position to Johnson on Saturday, stating he wouldn’t agree to a floor vote until consulting with his colleagues about government funding. The consensus among House Democrats? A resounding ‘no’ to the proposed DHS funding.
Max Cohen from Punchbowl News noted the overwhelming sentiment expressed during this caucus call: “Hell no” to funding ICE.
Laura Weiss from Punchbowl News added further insights from the call, indicating that both Hoyer and Clyburn advised House Democrats to vote in favor of the government funding package this week. However, it remains questionable whether Hoyer and Clyburn will actually vote ‘yes’ if the rest of their caucus is opposed.
This situation places the onus on Mike Johnson, who will need to rally a majority of Republicans to pass the rule and the subsequent vote.
The House plans to address the funding bills collectively, rather than separately. Johnson is seeking a single vote to align with the Senate on all five bills, but with DHS currently in a state of shutdown, Democrats are unlikely to support reopening it without genuine reforms to ICE.
Buckle up for what promises to be a riveting week in the House.
What are your thoughts on the Democrats’ staunch opposition to funding ICE? We invite you to join the discussion in the comments below.
