A partial government shutdown likely begins Saturday as Republicans and Democrats have failed to agree on how to rein in ICE and border patrol.
Democrats have dug in on funding the Department of Homeland Security following the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during protests in Minnesota. The two fatal shootings have galvanized criticism of how ICE and border patrol are conducting their immigration enforcement operations.
“If they don’t add things that will rein in ICE, they are not getting our votes,” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) told The Washington Post Wednesday. “Plain and simple.”
Democrats’ list of reforms includes tighter rules on warrants, requiring agents to wear identification and body cameras, and the banning of masks and military-style uniforms.
The Hill reported that the White House made a last-minute effort to avoid the shutdown. Ultimately, it came too late as Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News reported that the House is now done voting for the week, ending any hope of avoiding a shutdown that would begin Saturday.
A DHS shutdown won’t stop ICE and border patrol from operating, as they previously received enough funding to continue regardless. It will, however, affect Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Coast Guard and other agencies, the Washington Post reported.
The House Appropriations Committee issued a statement highlighting the impact of the shutdown and criticizing the tactics of Democrats.
“Democrats are set to shut the government down for the third time in recent months. This isn’t responsibility, and it’s not what the American people elected them to do. Shutdowns have very real, negative impacts on real people,” Republicans on the Committee stated, adding that “the safety and security of American communities are in the crosshairs.”
However, Democrats say they cannot approve funding the rest of DHS unless their concerns regarding ICE and border control are addressed.
“Taxpayer dollars should be used to make life more affordable for the American people, not brutalize or kill them, and that’s why we know that ICE needs to be dramatically reformed,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told The Washington Post Thursday. “And absent meaningful, bold and transformational change, the DHS funding bill cannot and will not be allowed to go forward.”
