Congressional negotiators from both major political parties unveiled a comprehensive bill on Tuesday aimed at fully funding the government before the impending shutdown deadline on January 30. This 1,059-page bipartisan legislation is designed to secure funding for critical departments, including Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, significantly lowering the likelihood of another funding lapse following last fall’s protracted government shutdown.
A focal point of contention within the bill is the allocation for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Many Democrats in both the House and Senate have indicated they are unlikely to support any funding bill that does not include measures to rein in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), especially after a recent incident where an ICE officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis. Rep. Ted Lieu, the No. 4 Democrat in the House, made clear his disapproval of the bill’s funding for ICE without reforms, stating, “There should absolutely be reforms to ICE.”
Fellow California Democrat and progressive leader Rep. Ro Khanna voiced his concerns that the bill maintains an additional $18 billion in annual funding for ICE, arguing it represents a capitulation to former President Trump’s policies. He vowed to oppose the bill, emphasizing that it fails to address the substantial budgetary increases for enforcement.
Despite these objections, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the leading Democratic appropriator, acknowledged the bill lacks broad reforms regarding ICE but ultimately supported it to avert a partial government shutdown. She highlighted that the proposed legislation includes some Democratic priorities, such as funding for body cameras worn by ICE personnel and measures aimed at improving law enforcement transparency.
The bill would sustain ICE’s funding at $10 billion through the end of the fiscal year, reflecting a significant reduction of $115 million for enforcement and removal operations, along with a cut of 5,500 in detention beds. The House intends to vote on the package on Thursday, with leads indicating that a separate vote on the DHS funding section is planned, allowing Democrats a platform to voice their disapproval while concurrently working to prevent a funding lapse.
DeLauro articulated the broader implications of the funding bill, stressing that a shutdown would have detrimental effects beyond just ICE, impacting essential services such as TSA operations and FEMA assistance. She encouraged her fellow Democrats to assess the bill’s overall merits for their constituents, acknowledging the frustrations surrounding ICE funding.
In the Senate, where a similar debate surrounding ICE funding is anticipated, Democratic leaders will need to secure bipartisan support, requiring 60 votes to avoid a government shutdown. Senators have signaled that they will oppose any legislation that further funds ICE without substantial reforms in place.
While some lawmakers, such as Sen. Patty Murray, defend the negotiated bill as a rejection of Trump-era cuts and a positive investment in crucial areas like education and medical research, others remain steadfast in their opposition to additional ICE funding. The debate continues as all sides seek to balance the urgency of securing government funding against the demands for reform within ICE’s operations.