Well, well...ICE out eh? Not really, LOL---but a fine time for a some reflection and a reset~
The Department of Homeland Security has shut down after lawmakers failed to meet a midnight Friday deadline to fund the agency and its workforce of more than 260,000 people.
The department saw its baseline funding expire after lawmakers left town for a week-long recess, but without a deal to rein in the conduct of federal immigration officers. Democrats say that after two U.S. citizens were shot dead by immigration officers in Minneapolis, they need reforms cemented into law before agreeing to fund the department.
The shutdown is now the third in a matter of months, but unlike the others, this one is more limited. It only affects DHS, not other federal agencies. Still, the department is sweeping in its scope, responsible not only for immigration enforcement, but also disaster response and airport security.
Democrats have spelled out a list of 10 demands, but finding consensus has been tough. Some asks, like requiring immigration officers to wear body cameras, appear to enjoy bipartisan support. But GOP lawmakers have pushed back on other demands, like prohibiting agents from wearing masks to conceal their identities. Republicans say doing so would make it easier for people to doxx federal officers.
Republicans in the Senate tried to pass a short-term funding extension on Thursday to allow time for negotiations to play out, but Democrats blocked that measure before lawmakers in both chambers left the Capitol for the recess. The vote came after a White House counteroffer that Democrats rejected as "insufficient and incomplete."
"Democrats will not support a blank check for chaos," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "This vote today asked a simple question: Will you rein in ICE's abuses or will you vote to extend the chaos. Republicans chose chaos. The Democrats, we refused."
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said lawmakers have been told to be ready to return from recess if a deal is reached, though he indicated that would be unlikely.
"I just think at the moment we're not close," Thune told reporters.
The Department of Homeland Security has shut down after lawmakers failed to meet a midnight Friday deadline to fund the agency and its workforce of more than 260,000 people.
The department saw its baseline funding expire after lawmakers left town for a week-long recess, but without a deal to rein in the conduct of federal immigration officers. Democrats say that after two U.S. citizens were shot dead by immigration officers in Minneapolis, they need reforms cemented into law before agreeing to fund the department.
The shutdown is now the third in a matter of months, but unlike the others, this one is more limited. It only affects DHS, not other federal agencies. Still, the department is sweeping in its scope, responsible not only for immigration enforcement, but also disaster response and airport security.
Democrats have spelled out a list of 10 demands, but finding consensus has been tough. Some asks, like requiring immigration officers to wear body cameras, appear to enjoy bipartisan support. But GOP lawmakers have pushed back on other demands, like prohibiting agents from wearing masks to conceal their identities. Republicans say doing so would make it easier for people to doxx federal officers.
Republicans in the Senate tried to pass a short-term funding extension on Thursday to allow time for negotiations to play out, but Democrats blocked that measure before lawmakers in both chambers left the Capitol for the recess. The vote came after a White House counteroffer that Democrats rejected as "insufficient and incomplete."
"Democrats will not support a blank check for chaos," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "This vote today asked a simple question: Will you rein in ICE's abuses or will you vote to extend the chaos. Republicans chose chaos. The Democrats, we refused."
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said lawmakers have been told to be ready to return from recess if a deal is reached, though he indicated that would be unlikely.
"I just think at the moment we're not close," Thune told reporters.
