The House of Representatives is gearing up to pass its final round of spending bills, an essential step toward avoiding a partial government shutdown. The pivotal legislation is scheduled for a vote on Thursday, but it’s facing challenges mainly due to Democratic concerns regarding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill. Specifically, lawmakers fear it falls short in addressing the controversial mass deportation policies initiated during President Donald Trump’s administration.
So far, the House has successfully passed eight of the twelve annual appropriations bills that ensure operational funding for various federal agencies and programs. With a looming January 30 deadline to complete the remaining four bills, attention will soon shift to the Senate for further deliberation.
Democratic leaders, including Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, signaled their plans to oppose the Homeland Security bill. The measure has come under fire for being inadequate in its response to escalating immigration enforcement actions, particularly following a recent incident in Minneapolis where a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer was involved in the fatal shooting of a mother of three.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a leading Democratic figure on the House Appropriations Committee, expressed grave concerns over ICE’s operations, describing them as “out of control.” Despite dissatisfaction with the current legislation, Democratic lawmakers face limited leverage to voice their opposition effectively. DeLauro cautioned that resorting to a continuing resolution to maintain funding at existing levels would mean conceding budgetary authority to the Trump administration, a move many within the party are reluctant to make.
Sen. Patty Murray, the senior Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for Democrats to regain political strength to instigate meaningful accountability at the DHS. Although this year’s Homeland Security bill keeps ICE funding roughly equivalent to last year’s, it also introduces some restrictions on the Secretary’s authority to reallocate funds unilaterally.
While some Democrats, including Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, expressed an intention to support the bill due to its modest improvements in oversight, a significant number of their colleagues disagree. Lawmakers like Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio and Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois voiced outright opposition, stating that they cannot endorse a bill that serves to perpetuate unfair practices.
As the closed-door caucus meeting concluded, Rep. Pramila Jayapal reflected the concerns of her peers, noting that additional funding earmarked for equipment like body cameras does not constitute sufficient reform. She firmly stated that it would be disingenuous to promote the bill as an improvement when it still undermines immigration reform efforts.
Republicans, on the other hand, are optimistic about the passage of the funding package, which encompasses approximately $1.2 trillion in total spending, with a significant portion allocated to the Department of Defense. Speaker Mike Johnson believes he can manage a few defections within the GOP ranks to ensure the bills are moving forward, expressing confidence in a favorable outcome.
The dynamics surrounding these spending bills highlight the ongoing tension in Congress regarding budgetary negotiations, especially in the context of divisive issues such as immigration. With advocacy groups also applying pressure for a more robust response to DHS operations, the vote on Thursday will be pivotal in determining the future direction of federal funding in these critical sectors.