“We are fully prepared to shut down the agencies that have nothing to do with this in order to make our point about the agency that will remain open regardless.”
WASHINGTON — A partial DHS shutdown over ICE funding loomed Saturday as lawmakers failed to reach agreement on new restrictions for federal immigration agents, threatening to close the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Coast Guard while leaving the agency at the center of the dispute fully operational.
ICE and Customs and Border Protection would continue to function because Republicans sent them tens of billions in additional funding last year, a detail both parties acknowledged while insisting the shutdown would still somehow pressure the other side.
“If they don’t add things that will rein in ICE, they are not getting our votes,” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer told reporters, explaining that the best way to rein in ICE was to defund the agencies that are not ICE.
The Third Time in Three Months
The potential shutdown would mark the third full or partial government closure since October. The first lasted 43 days over expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. The second lasted several days before ending last week. Lawmakers described the third as “unprecedented” and “unacceptable” and “something we should definitely do if the other side doesn’t cave.” One aide called it “deeply concerning,” which is what aides call everything.
About 13 percent of the federal civilian workforce would be affected, most of whom would be required to work without pay. “The pain will be felt by the men and women of TSA, who will once again work to keep our airways safe without a paycheck,” said Rep. Mark Amodei, who chairs the appropriations subcommittee on homeland security. He paused. “We could also just fund them. But that’s not where we are right now.”
What Democrats Want and What They’ll Get
Democrats demanded a long list of restrictions after federal immigration agents killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last month, including requiring agents to wear identification and body cameras, and barring them from operating near schools, medical facilities, churches, and courts. They also want to ensure states and local jurisdictions can investigate potential crimes committed by agents.
The White House sent a “detailed proposal” Wednesday night. Democrats described it as “incomplete and insufficient.” Republicans described it as “generous and reasonable.” Neither side released it publicly, which both sides agreed was best for the negotiating process and also for the proposal.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, who broke with her party during last year’s shutdown to vote for a Republican funding bill, said she would not do so this time. “We are asking our colleagues and the White House to work with us,” she told reporters. “It’s common sense.”
Both Sides Urge Compromise by the Other Side
Senate Majority Leader John Thune asked Democrats to agree to a short-term funding deal to give negotiations more time. “I hope our Democrat friends will remain at the table,” Thune said, adding that Republicans expected Democrats to also accept new protections for immigration agents and measures cracking down on sanctuary cities as part of any agreement to restrict immigration agents.
Republicans have emphasized that a shutdown would hurt agencies unrelated to immigration. Democrats have emphasized that this is exactly the point. Both sides expressed hope that the other would show flexibility.
The Senate was expected to vote Thursday on a funding bill that Democrats said almost unanimously they would oppose. Leadership in both parties described this vote as “an important step.”
Developing.
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